Sunday Night Reflections

 A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached at Union Park Christian Church in Orlando this morning.
• The message focuses on the life of Zaccheus.
• Key thought #1, Jesus seeks those who seek Him
• Key thought #2, Jesus' encounter with Zaccheus transformed a man, impacted a community, and gave all of us an example of the life change that occurs when one seeks Jesus.
• I had a wonderful time connecting with a dear friend today, we go back over 40 years.
• Spent the weekend helping mom make a huge transition in her life. Prayers appreciated.
• BTW I think the governor should proclaim  I-295 as the Offical State Race Track. #driveitlikeyoustoleit 
• Dinner with Jonathan and Megan tonight. Good times!
• I received word this morning, three of my nephews were baptized today. O Happy Day!
• College Football is back!
• Note to self, having a Garage Sale in August is not a good idea! Unless it can be held poolside!
• The first week of school is in the books at JUFL, so good to see our continuing students return.
• Something to Chew on; There are many ways to be brave in this world. Sometimes bravery involves laying down your life for something bigger than yourself, or for someone else. Sometimes it involves giving up everything you have ever known, or everyone you have ever loved, for the sake of something greater. But sometimes it does not! Sometimes it is nothing more than gritting your teeth through pain, and the work of every day, the slow walk toward a better life. ~ Veronica Roth

Sunday Night Reflections

 A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church this morning. Mike Chambers brought a powerful message on the subject of love.
• I had not heard Mike preach in a long time, his message reminded me how blessed we were to have him as one of our professors.
• His closing asking all of us to be a 21st century Nicodemus was spot on.
• The baptismal waters stirred once again this morning, this never gets old.
• Our life group started a new study last week looking at the lives of the 12 disciples. 
• We have learned so far, they were not saints, scholars, nor were they religious sages, but through Jesus' training and touch, they changed the world.
• JUFL students have returned, tomorrow is the first day of class, yep, we are 17 weeks away from Winter Break.
• RANT ALERT: Showing the football game on a tape delay is so lame. A football game is meant to be seen live. BTW it does not help when the guide says the game is on and you run a ticker stating you can watch the game tomorrow. RANT OVER!
• Now I know why White Frosted Oreos are available only at Christmas time; It is too hot to eat the cookies in August, today's temp was 95 with a heat index in triple digits. The white fudge would melt away. However, an Oreo Milkshake hits the spot!  I have first-hand knowledge of this fact!
• Congratulations to my friend Luke, today he hit his first hole-in-one on the golf course.
• Who knew you get a car warranty on a car that is 20 years old? #quitcallingme!
• Something to Chew on; Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness, heart, talent, guts. That is what little girls are made of; the heck with sugar and spice. ~ Bethany Hamilton, Soul Surfer: A true story of Faith, Family and Fighting to Get back on the Board.

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached at Ocala Christian Church this morning. OCC is a wonderful fellowship of believers. I always enjoy my time visiting the church.
• They are just a few days from moving into their new building, all of the praying, working, and giving is about to pay off. It will be exciting to see how God uses their new facilities to reach Ocala and the surrounding area with the love of Jesus.  
• I have been spending a lot of time this summer studying key leadership principles and how they relate to the local church. 
• The #1 item I have discovered is leadership is the key to a successful organization. Show me a thriving organization and I will show you men and women who understand leadership principles and are carrying them out.
• All of our upperclassmen return to FCC on Thursday and our freshmen arrive on Friday. Let the school year begin!
• To the incoming freshmen, I give you the same challenge Doc Smith gave us from the book of Joshua 44 years ago, be strong and courageous. 
• I get nostalgic this time of year, 44 years ago I arrived at Central Florida Bible College. As a result, I have had many opportunities to laugh, cry, win, lose, and grow. So thankful for the men who encouraged me to consider CFBC, I have never regretted it.
• I do not mean to brag, but I am becoming a pretty good cook. You should try my chicken salad!
• Mom is moving out of the house she lived in for 30 years this week, lots of changes in her life, so thankful she is able to find a place that will bring her great joy.
• Something to Chew on; The Importance of courage, Courage gives you the ability to put aside your fear of failure and take the first steps. Courage helps you overcome your fear of rejection and engage your stockholders.  Courage allows you to attempt things that you have not tried before, despite your fear of looking foolish.

Sunday Night Reflections

 A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached at First Christian Church of Arcadia today. 
• The message was from John 4, and focused on what Jesus would NOT do!
• What would Jesus NOT do? He would not miss an opportunity!
• Key thought #1, Jesus did not see obstacles, he saw opportunities.
• Key thought #2, What obstacles do you need to overcome today to tell others about Jesus?
• On the way home, I stopped at First Christian Church Wauchula and connected with the church staff. They are doing a wonderful job reaching their community.
• I finished reading 1 and 2 Chronicles this week. Again I am amazed by the graciousness of God, however, there is a limit to his grace and mercy.
• I wonder if we are not marching to Babylon like the people of Israel some 2,500 years ago!
• Several of our students are returning to campus this week. It will be good to see our students return.
• The Olympics wrap up tonight with the closing ceremonies. This has been an amazing week of watching "The Thrill of Victory."
• Who knew Sport Climbing was an Olympic sport?
• To my teacher friends, your students are returning this week. I am thankful for all you do, you are the difference makers!
• Yeah, it was only a preseason game, but football is back!
• Speaking of football, College Football lost a giant today with the passing of Coach Bowden! He proved nice guys do finish first - several times!
• I am over halfway through "The Reckoning", John Gresham is a wonderful storyteller.
• Something to Chew on; Discipline to me is sacrifice; it is the willingness to give up something you want, so you can better yourself. ~ Bobby Bowden

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Villages Christian Church in The Villages this morning.
• Mark had a great message on the importance of the Lord's Supper.
• VCC is a new church with a lot of potential for growth.
• I had a great time sharing information about JUFL with the leadership.
• Watching the Olympic swimming competition is amazing, their endurance is inspiring.
• We are 22 days away from the beginning of the school year at JUFL. Where did the summer go?
• Our recruitment teams are returning to campus, I cannot wait to hear about their experiences from their times at church camps and CIY conferences. 
• While our Life Group has not been able to meet face to face for over a year, I enjoy our zoom meetings each week. Especially last week!
• Thunderstorms and chihuahuas do not mix!
• Are you ready for some football? I am ready!
• Something to Chew on; You cannot swim for new horizons until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore, ~ William Faulkner