Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped with the church at Northside Lakeland Christian today. 
• Spoke on the topic of "making ripples" or how to influence others.
• Everyone make ripples in the lives of others, the only question you must ask; are my ripples positive or negative?
• One of the choices we must make if we are going to make ripples in the lives of others, are we willing to be a risk taker to influence others?
• Anytime you take a risk, you will eventually find the reward.
• Too many people would rather be passive when it comes to making ripples, thus they never see the joy of influencing people in a positive way. 
• We sang some old choruses this morning in worship, several brought back some precious memories. 
• Attended graduation at Florida Christian College Friday evening, once again we launched a group of life changers and world shapers into the world - cannot not wait to hear how this group of young men and women will influence the world.
• My daughter is graduating from High School Friday night, I am so excited for her.
• Something to chew on; The only guarantee for failure its to stop trying ~ John Maxwell.   

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Great worship today led by the children's ministry of FCC Kissimmee.
• As I watched the worship I was amazed how much graded worship has changed over the years.
• Churches with a future are churches that make children's ministry a priority. 
• Back in the pulpit next Sunday, looking forward to preaching again!
• Hard to believe Florida Christian College is celebrating another commencement this Friday evening, it seems like yesterday I was receiving my diploma from CFBC. Truth be known it was 31 years ago! Where does the time go?
• Reconnected with some good friends today, albeit briefly, I wish I could see them more often. Gotta fix that!
• The recent secret service scandal is a reminder we live in a time where personal responsibility is lacking.
• Whatever happened to honor?
• Chuck Colson's life was a wonderful testimony of how redemption can transform a person.
• REDEMPTION is one of those Biblical words we do not hear about, yet it is a word that truly gives the vilest sinner hope.
• Something to Chew on: we feel unhappy and confused about our life when we don't do the focus or calling that God has on our life. ~ John Maxwell 

It is now how you start...

I read today that Chuck Colson passed away today. Mr. Colson was one of my favorite authors. Every since I read Loving God, I was hooked! Colson's books had a way of writing that made his books both inspiring as well as thought provoking. Besides Loving God, my favorite books of his are;

• The Body
• The Faith
• Why America Doesn't Work 

In addition to his books, his ministry "Prison Fellowship Ministries" has touched thousands of inmates, families of inmates and society as a whole. The world was a better place because of the influence Chuck Colson. 

However, it did not start out that way, dubbed as the evil genius of the Nixon administration, he discovered how power has the ability to corrupt the soul and character of a person. During the Nixon years in the White House, he was one of the most powerful presidential aides and Nixon's number 1 troubleshooter. Yet with all that power, he soon found himself on the inside of prison for what is forever known by a one word scandal; Watergate. Realizing he had no place to turn, Colson turned to God and he was never the same again. In 1993 Colson said "I shudder to think what I'd been if I had not gone to prison. Lying on on the rotten floor of of a cell, you know it's not prosperity or pleasure that's important, but the maturing of the soul."**

Once he gave his life over to God he discovered a life that was truly abundant, just as Christ had promised. The last 35 years, he has given his life to making a difference in the lives of people, to be honest. many of us would rather forget or ignore.

If one was to look at Colson's life in the 70's he would have simply been a footnote in history, but by turning his life over to God he is no longer just a footnote in history, he is also noted for all eternity as a child of God. 

Like the apostle Paul he has finished the race and now has heard the words "well done good and faith servant." Colson is a reminder it is not how we start out in life that makes the difference, it is how we finish. May we all finish well.  

** Some of the Information from this post came from the USA TODAY for iphone.     

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• Spent the last few days in Macon Georgia at the Georgia Christian Convention.
• Loved the Georgia hospitality!
• Though the convention was small, the fellowship was genuine!
• Christian fellowship is one of the great gifts God has given to the church. We should never take this gift for granted.
• I am teaching a series on Joshua at FCC Kissimmee right now - really love teaching the Word.
• A few weeks ago our worship leader Derrick announced he was moving to Cambodia; I am going to miss his worship leading!
• Hey Jim, thanks for the message this morning on the subject "Now What?" Good points regarding what to do after Resurrection Sunday.
• Moving in faith simply takes the courage to trust the one who is always faithful.
• Taxes
• Something to Chew on; “... if you don't have peace, it isn't because someone took it from you; you gave it away. You cannot always control what happens to you, but you can control what happens in you.” ~ John C. Maxwell, Be a People Person

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• Confession; I missed preaching this morning!
• Worshiped with the Church Family at Northeast Christian Church today. Justin's message was right on as he focused on the reason for the resurrection. 
• Worship team did a great job with their contemporary style of music, especially with glorious day and come awake.
• Has there ever been two more contrasting verses of scripture; Thursday evening Jesus told those who came to arrest him; Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns. (Luke 22:53) and then on Sunday, the angel tells the women at the tomb; He is not here; he has risen! (Luke 24:6) Look who reigns now!
• Wonderful Good Friday service Friday evening at FCC Kissimmee.
• It was thrilling to see all the expressions of hope by my friends on FACEBOOK the last few days. 
• I continue to be amazed at how we are so interconnected in the church. I believe our connections are just a foretaste of Heaven.
• The situation with the University of Arkansas head coach should be a reminder of need to be a man of character - ALWAYS!
• The Tiger Woods' meltdown  at the Masters, reminds us to take every thought captive.  
• Once again God answered our family's prayer this week. Why am I surprised when this happens.
• I visited a church last week that has gone the extra mile to compensate for their minister's disability. This is what Christ had in mind when he established His church. 
• Something to chew on; “If you start today to do the right thing, you are already a success even if it doesn't show yet.” ~ John Maxwell

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• I had a wonderful opportunity today teaching on the Old Testament Hero, Joshua. 
• Jim spoke on the words from the cross; this morning's words "It is finished"
• I am glad "It is finished"; my salvation is complete, not because of what I do, but because of what Jesus did!
• Friday night's Imagine Banquet was wonderful - John Maxwell is the master communicator.
• John's message was both inspiring as well as challenging.
• Everyone of us must make a decision; will we choose success or significance? 
• I choose significance!
• Got some wonderful news this weekend - our family is going to grow; David and Brianne are expecting their first child. Looks like things are going to change for our family!
• Commencement is less than a month away for the seniors of FCC.
• Something to Chew on; "I want to make a difference with people who want to make a difference, doing something that makes a difference. ~ John Maxwell