Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• What a great privilege as I was invited to speak at Englewood Christian Church this morning in Jacksonville. 
• As I looked over the audience I saw so many people who had an influence in my life. So thankful for a church who invests in people. 
• Today's message focused on the importance of the trustworthiness of the word of God. 
• Thank you Michael C. for singing "Ancient Words" prior to the message.
• In a world filled with so much uncertainty it is comforting to know we have a firm foundation in the word of God.
• Key point from this morning's message; we are not saved because we read the Bible, we are saved by believing in the One revealed in the Bible.
• Today's comments on FB regarding this morning have been such an encouragement. 
• 5 months down 7 to go! This year is flying by fast. It seems like yesterday we were worried about Y2K.
• Received a preliminary good report on Kathy's test Wednesday - hopefully the good news will be confirmed this week.
• In four years of working at JUFL I have visited 150 different churches throughout the state of Florida. 
• I did some research this week and discovered this is my 252nd Sunday Night Reflection. That is a lot of Reflecting!
• Generosity always inspires me!
• Are the NBA playoffs still going on? 
• Something to Chew on; Everyone has the potential to be an encourager. You don't have to be rich. You don't have to be a genius. You don't have to have it all together. All you have to do is care about people and initiate. ~ John Maxwell 

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Returned to Connected Life Christian Church in Boca Raton again today. Great people, they are really trying to do everything possible to reach people for Christ. 
• Today's message focused on Becoming People of the Second Chance. Drawing lessons from the father's actions in the parable of the Prodigal son. 
• If you could have one; What would you like a second chance to do?
• I am always amazed how the father was willing to welcome his son back home - no conditions, no probationary period, simply a welcomed embrace and a celebratory banquet.
• When it comes to giving people a second chance are you like the father in this parable?
• Wonderful lunch with one of the church leaders of CLCC - there is nothing like the sweet fellowship believers have with one another. We have known each other for 8 days and yet our common bond in Christ, gave us an instant friendship.
• The church said farewell to a member of the congregation who had attended the church since 1972, what a great example of faithfulness.
• My daughter traveled with me this week, She thinks I am her favorite preacher.
• Once again we are reminded of sins devastation in the lives of people. So glad we are not bound by law!
• We can ALL take comfort in this verse.
• Had a great time with my family at Jonathan and Megan's house this weekend - Pure joy!
• My son David can really cook a hamburger!
• I was also reminded of how fragile life is this week as well, Praying for Pat and Charlie!
• Good Friends have sold their home - so many good memories in that home - Oh if those wall could talk!
• I thought the speed limit on the Turnpike was 70 mph - silly me, as passed like I was standing still - I vote to rename the Turnpike to Florida Speedway.
• Tomorrow is a holiday, gonna try to sleep in til 7!
• Next week I head to Jax, to preach at one of my favorite churches - I'm pumped! 
• Something to Chew on: “God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.” ~ Vance Havner

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached at Connected Life Christian Church this morning.
• Great time of worship. 
• Key thought to today's message "Grace makes your ministry God's ministry"
• Had lunch with a wonderful church leader, he has been faithful through the church's up and downs and is a man full of hope!
• Things I saw on the turnpike today - 1 dead alligator, 1 live boar, 1,000 tourists - does anyone live up north anymore?
• Saturday was one of the most stressful days I have experienced in a long time, I can't imagine how tough it has been for Chris and Maggie!
• Saturday reminded me how much I am looking forward to The Day
• Nothing is more difficult for a minister than to preach a child's funeral. 
• Could we have a triple crown winner this year?
• I miss seeing Space Shuttle launches.
• No students at JUFL + no noise in the halls of JUFL = I really miss the students this summer. 
• Something to Chew on; “If you partner with God, Make your plans big!” I encourage you today to make God your partner. Whatever your burden is that caused you to search for strength, give it up to him now. Do not let another minute go by without completely surrendering your burdens to Him. God wants to be your strength. Surrender to Him in your weakness and let Him show Himself strong. Remember if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it! ~ D.L. Moody

Sunday Night Reflections

In honor of Mother's Day I came across this illustration I have used when preaching on Mother's Day. I thought would be good to share. It is not original with me.

To all the Mean Moms of the world-and if you aren’t mean-it’s never too late to start being a mean mom. Was your Mom mean? I know mine was :-) We had the meanest mother in the whole world! While other kids ate candy for breakfast, we had to have cereal, eggs, and toast. When others had a Pepsi and a Twinkie for lunch, we had to eat sandwiches. And you can guess our mother fixed us a dinner that was different from what other kids had, too.

Mother insisted on knowing where we were at all times. You’d think we were convicts in a prison. She had to know who our friends were, and what we were doing with them.

She insisted if we said we would be gone for an hour, we would be gone for an hour or less.

We were ashamed to admit it, but she had the nerve to break the Child Labor Laws by making us work. We had to wash the dishes, make the beds, learn to cook, vacuum the floor, do laundry, and all sorts of cruel jobs. I think she would lie awake at night thinking of more things for us to do.

She always insisted on us telling the truth the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
By the time we were teenagers, she could read our minds. Then, life was really tough!
Mother would not let our friends just honk the horn when they drove up. They had to come up to the door so she could meet them. While everyone else could date when they were 12 or 13, we had to wait until we were 16. Because of our mother we missed out on lots of things other kids experienced.
None of us have ever been caught shoplifting, vandalizing other’s property or ever arrested for any crime. It was all her fault. We never got drunk, took up smoking, stayed out all night, or a million other things other kids did. Now that we have left home, we are all God-fearing, educated, honest adults. We are doing our best to be mean parents just like Mom was. I think that is what’s wrong with the world today. It just doesn't have enough mean moms anymore.

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped with the church family of Union Park Christian Church today. 
• Great message on the life of the Old Testament heroine Hannah today. 
• Key point Hannah believed God and believed God was able - a good lesson for all of us to remember. 
• Spent time with the family celebrating Mother's Day - what a great blessing to be able to be influenced by Christian mothers. I am blessed beyond measure.
• My granddaughter cracks me up she has personality PLUS!
• Experienced another graduation form JUFL last weekend. Oh the places this group will go! They cannot imagine the places they will go or the opportunities that will be made available to them!
• After being "Off the Road" for the last 5 weeks, the traveling begins in earnest next week! Boca Raton, Jacksonville and Ocala just to name a few stops over the next few weeks.
• Lots of exciting things are coming to JUFL in the near future, this is an exciting time to be a part of the college.
• I miss football season.
• The LOVEBUGS are back - windshields beware!
• Only 21 days until June - Summer is here!
• I do not say it enough but my wife Kathy is a wonderful mother!
• Something to Chew on; No man is poor who had a Godly mother ~ Abraham Lincoln