Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Great Worship today, Band did a great job with Marvelous Light. Josh is truly a gifted Worship Leader. 
• Mitch spoke on the topic of Kindness - used a little known story yet it had a powerful application.
• Excellent Quote from Mark Twain; Kindness is the language the deaf can hear and the blind can read.
• One of the marks of genuine kindness is when you can show kindness to someone who cannot return the favor. 
• Mitch encouraged us to be kind to others for one reason; we are all Mephiboseth, we are crippled by sin, yet Christ showed us kindness and one day we will sit at the king's table - good point!
• The people of RR Brevard have shown great deal of kindness to my family the last 3 weeks, for which we are truly appreciative. 
• Attended FCC trustee's meeting Saturday, we have a great group of men and women who are exhibiting very wise leadership at the college. 
• Great time at the super bowl party tonight, good food and great friends!
• Favorite Commercials; Bridgestone Beaver and Pepsi Can Thrower.
• I'm preaching in 2 weeks; can't wait! 
• My 94 year old grandfather's health is failing fast please pray for our family as we go through a very difficult time. 

2,311

2,311, that is the number of hits I have had on my blog during the month of January. Now 2,311 hits is not that many compared to other blogs out there but it is a giant leap for me considering in December I had 388 hits and in November there were 295 hits. So how did I get 10 times as many hits in January as I did in November and in December? Here are the reasons I came up with recently...

• The power of FACEBOOK, each week I post my Sunday Night Reflections on my FACEBOOK Page and soon after, my blog lights up with activity. FACEBOOK has given me a better platform for getting the word out.
• WORD OF MOUTH, over the last few weeks many people have shared with others about my blog and they have in turn stopped by to check it out. There seems to be a buzz out there right now and I wonder how long the interest will last.
• OPEN ABOUT LIFE CHANGE, over the last few weeks our family has experienced a life change that is full of uncertainty. I believe this uncertainty has caused some people to check out the blog as I have been some what open about what we are doing as we weigh out our options.

Maybe there are a few other reasons why my blog has grown, I am not sure, but I know I will continue to do what I said I would do in my profile; I am trying to live out the words of Jeremiah 15:19 (nlt); "If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them;  do not let them influence you!"  

I hope I am influencing others through my blog. Only time will tell.

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• Another great day of worship at River Run Brevard.
• I am really enjoying the "Let's Grow" series, Dan did a great job with the topic of patience this morning. 
• One of the verses that struck home with me was James 5:11.
• We must learn patience because; Circumstances are uncontrollable, people are unchangeable and problems are unexplainable.
• Here is another good verse from this morning's sermon; Anyone who trusts in me (God) will not be disappointed. Isaiah 49:23 
• Today I received encouragement from a man who spent 65 years in the preaching ministry, thank you Glen for your kind words. 
• I know I said it last week, but I will say it again, I miss preaching.
• I am still reading the "thank you cards" from last night, I will treasure them always.
• Finishing up Sun Stand Still this week; Furtick really makes you think Why not? when it comes to asking God for great things.
• I have a friend who spent 3 1/2 days in a prison last week ministering to inmates, when you hear his story you wonder why does the church major on the minors; Listen the world needs Jesus!
• One last quote to chew on from this morning's message; Are you resting your heart on the ultimate certainty? Don't know what is the ultimate certainty, check out James 5:8. 

The Power of Friendship

I am thankful for the number of friends who have made our transition a little less difficult these past few days. Solomon was right when he wrote about the power of friendship. While I have had a number of friendships over the years, from high school companions to neighbors, I have to confess the best friends are the ones who are associated through ministry. There is something about serving the cause of Christ together that makes a friendship more meaningful. Tonight I was reminded once again how valuable friends are in our life. 

My challenge today is be grateful for your friends. Spend time with them, listen to them and thank God for creating us with the need to be in relationship with other people. Since the beginning of time, God knew it was not good for us to live in isolation. Relationships are the bond and glue that hold us together when we face adversity. Solomon reminded his readers of the danger of living in isolation when he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes. 

I hope you appreciate your friends, I can tell you I appreciate mine more and more every day.     

How do we know it is an opportunity?

Over the last few days I have had several options come across by dining room table (I used to have a desk) regarding my future. In a recent post I called it the next great adventure, but to be honest an adventure sounds exciting, but right now some of the options seem to be a little frighting. One option is taking me completely out of ministry, while another is leading me into a ministry opportunity which I have very little experience, actually none, but it does sound exciting. While I am weighing the options, one nagging question keeps coming to mind; How do I know something is an opportunity. What if it is something that looks attractive, but in reality I am simply going from the frying pan into the fire? 

To help me determine if an option is really an opportunity I am falling back on my class notes from one of Master's lectures by E. Ray "Cotton" Jones. Cotton said with every opportunity one must weigh it in light of 5 filters;

1. Is it an opportunity to your gifts in the ministry?

2. Will it give you an opportunity to grow?

3. What are your trusted associates telling you about the opportunity?

4. How will your family be impacted by the opportunity

5. Do you sense God's leading in this opportunity?

I am sure there are more "filters" but these seem to be the ones I am using at this point in my life. Over the next few weeks I hope I am able to announce a new opportunity that will match up with these 5 filters as we continue to seek God's will for our family. 

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped with the people of River Run Brevard today.
• Sermon was titled, "Peace under Pressure" Very timely for my family.
• Mitch preached from 2 Cor. 1:8-9, what a powerful section of scripture.
• I have to confess "it is well with my soul" is quickly becoming one of my favorite hymns.
• I have to admit I miss preaching.
• I am amazed at the number of ministry colleagues who have called me this week. Their encouragement has been a breath of fresh air.
• Attended the Unconditional Love board meeting Thursday, when you hear how the world is being ravaged by AIDs, it is obvious the world needs Jesus.
• I began reading SUN STAND STILL by Steve Furtick this week, very challenging. Question what would happen if the church today prayed like the Heroes of the Bible? 
• Two quotes by John Maxwell that have really helped me this week; (1) Life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. (2) We choose what attitudes we have right now. And it's a continuing choice.  
• Hey if you did not follow the link to 2 Cor. 1:8-9 go back and do it now - I am serious!
• Speaking at FCC Tuesday on my favorite topic - GRACE

No More Kids

As of today, Kathy and I have only adult children under our roof. Our youngest daughter, Bethany turns 18 today. I cannot believe my little girl has grown up. It seems like yesterday, we were bringing her home from the hospital. There have been ear piercings, nail polish, glasses and contacts, visits to Build-a-Bear Workshops, arguments over the amount of time in the bathroom, a visit to the American Girl store in Chicago and all sorts of other 'girlie" things, including just plain silliness. Now as I look back I would not trade a moment. Plans call for her to follow in our footsteps and attend Florida Christian College. I only hope she will be a better student then I was the first couple of years. 

Bethany is a superb photographer and loves to play the guitar, so I cannot wait to see how she uses these two talents in the future. I am sure with her determination and servant's heart she will make a difference in the lives of the people she touches. Happy Birthday "little bear" I love you - Dad.