Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached at First Christian Church of Orange Park this morning. 
• One of the most passionate churches I have visited in a log time!
• From today's message; Wisdom is seeing Life through God's point of view. It is for that reason Solomon said wisdom is supreme and better than gold or silver.
• From there I traveled to Ocala to speak at Christ's Church of Marion County for their Joy Night.
• All in all I traveled 395 miles this weekend - I am tired.
• I am so glad I am involved in a college whose purpose it to extend the Kingdom of God among the nations.
• After traveling all summer and most of the Fall, I get to attend my church next Sunday, looking forward to hearing a good message from my minster.
• Before my traveling weekend, I spent 3 days in Tennessee planning out the University's strategy for advancing JUFL forward over the next 12 months. Pretty exciting!
• Saturday I visited the cemetery; it was very sobering to see the headstone with Kathy's name on it. I did not like being there!
• Oh to have 1 more day!
• I was visited by the OREO fairy this past week, always a pleasant surprise.
• The snowbirds are back, normally takes me about an 1 1/2 hours to travel from Ocala to Kissimmee, tonight's trip took 2 hours, where do all these people come from?
• Looks like the college football season is really getting excited.
• I thought about dressing up as a presidential candidate for Halloween tomorrow night, but that may be too scary for young children (and their parents!)
• Three things I am getting pretty good at cooking; Pork Chops, Chicken and Salmon. 
• November! What happened to October?
• Something to Chew on; No matter how busy you are, you must take time to make the other person feel important. ~ Mary Kay Ash

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached at Sonshine Christian Home in Holiday today. 
• What a wonderful group of people, so gracious and so generous with their praise.
• I hope I will have that same spirit when I am in my golden years!
•  One thought from today's message; The world drinks to forget their pain, fear and regrets; but every Sunday the believer drinks to remember His Sacrifice and Love as we gather around the Lord's Supper.
• Friday night I attended a night of worship at River Run Brevard, a great evening designed to Glorify God. 
• If your church does not have a night of worship from time to time you should consider it as it can be refreshing to your soul.
• Spent tonight visiting with some long time friends, many of whom have walked the same journey I am now walking. So Blessed!
• I have tried to explain it but I just cannot explain "Grief Bursts"
• The Holidays are coming, not really excited about the next 60 days.
•  Even though the Gators were not playing there was still some great games on College football yesterday. I can't believe the season is half over. 
• I would like to buy some Oreo's, but being the only one in the house, it could really be a disaster, they are so addicting. 
• Something to Chew on; You don't stop laughing when you grow old; you grow old when you stop laughing. ~ George Bernard Shaw

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached at Southwest Christian Church, Ocala this morning. 
• I visited the church in October of 2013, at that time they were running about 65 in attendance, today they are averaging 170 in attendance. I believe this church is turning around!
• So good to see a church turning around. You could tell the people were excited about what was happening in their church.
• Attended a grief retreat this past weekend, was truly an inspiring time. #1 takeaway I am not alone in this grief journey!
• Jonathan did a wonderful job focusing on the missing peace of grief.
• The worship was moving as well. So thankful for the leaders of the retreat, they did a wonderful job!
• This song continues to speak to me.
• Wednesday I had lunch with a member of my second youth group. How can SHE have an 18 year old daughter?
• It is so good to see the kids you invested in turn out so well! One of the great blessings of ministry!
• Is it possible half of October is in the books?
• Have you ever wished life had a "reset" button?
• The Dolphins surprised me today.
• Something to Chew on; No one told me that grief felt so much like fear. ~ C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached at Ocala Christian Church this morning. Filled in for an ailing preacher, hoping he feels better soon. 
• Ocala Christian Church has to be one of the most gracious churches in Florida. So many people welcomed me and expressed appreciation for providing the morning message.
• Preached from James 1 this morning; "Consider it pure joy whenever you face many trials" This is difficult!
• Here is the truth, I face trials you face trials... All God's Children Face Trials!
• Just when you thought the political season had hit an all time low, we now have a new low! 
• So glad our hope is not in a political season, but in the Lord.
• Thinking about a minister friend who I am sure is facing a very bad day, hang in there Mike and Kristi, you guys have been a ray of hope for me in a very dark time.
• Another ministry friend began a new ministry today, I hope it is a fruitful ministry. 
• They tell me it will get better, but sometimes it is just overwhelming.
• Looks like we dodged a massive storm this week, for a while it was looking pretty ominous.
• MVP this week? The men and women who got the power turned back on after the storm! THANK YOU!
• The U discovered the PAT is not automatic, that is why college football is so exciting.
• Can we wait a little while longer before we see the Christmas commercials on TV? 
• In light of tonight's debate, I have never been happier there is a football game on TV tonight!
• Something to Chew on;  Every challenge, every adversity; contains within it the seeds of opportunity and growth. ~ Roy Bennett

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Wonderful time with my family enjoying a mini vacation thanks to the generosity of some friends.
• So proud of my kids, Kathy did a wonderful job in the parenting skills!
• Grief Bursts are painful.
• Receiving direct mail campaign about funeral expenses is so insensitive, surly there is a better way to get your message out!
• A hurricane is upon us again and the weather folks are talking about the cone of uncertainty, you want a cone of uncertainty try living with grief!
• I am amazed at the work the "Make a Wish Foundation" does with it partnership with Disney. 
• I cannot imagine the pain the parents feel when their children are faced with a crippling and often fatal disease. Thank you Make a Wish!
• Over the past 3 days I have walked 38,600 steps and I am feeling it tonight! 
• Best part of the family vacation having the kids with me, second best part; hot tub in the evening!
• Only 5 more speaking engagements remaining in 2016.
• College Football - nothing like it; every game and every play matters, just ask Georgia or Tennessee. 
• Something to Chew on; A family is a place where principles are hammered and honed on the anvil of everyday living. ~ Charles Swindoll