Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• The last 10 days have been a whirlwind of activity, A Leadership Retreat, A Missions Event in Vero Beach, a trip to Johnson University for 3 days if training and a Faith Promise Weekend - I am beat!
• Takeaway from the leadership retreat; Leaders must constantly be in a "Change Mode" as their leadership grows. This is probably the most difficult part of leadership.
• Thrilled to see what Vero Christian and First Christian of Pompano Beach are doing to impact the world through their missions.
• I am in awe of what I am doing now, there have been so many changes in last 3 years, God is good!
• Looks like it is going to be a long off season in Gainesville this year.
• My granddaughter turned 1 yesterday. She truly is the joy of my life. 
• My fantasy football team has become a lot like the Jacksonville Jaguars - we are just bad!
• Thanksgiving is just around the corner!
• Today was the last road trip for the calendar year, I have traveled 41 of the 52 weeks this year. I am the ROAD WARRIOR! 
• Something to Chew on; When we support missions we are ensuring heaven will be little more full and hell will be less crowded.    

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped with the family at First Christian Church Kissimmee this morning.
• Great message on conflict resolution this morning. 
• Jim is right, what would happen if our churches, families and homes practiced this verse when there is conflict? 
• Really appreciated the update from Haiti this morning, amazing what can happen when a youth ministry really gets hold of having the mind of Christ - Thank you Chris!
• November!
• As a Gator fan I was really disappointed in how the ended the game last week. Remember it is a game and one must be gracious in a loss as well as a win. Come on Coach, we need to focus on character as well as skills!
• Teaching on Leadership Friday evening - Looking forward to teaching on the subject of Unity in a time of transition.
• Installed flooring tile this weekend and I was reminded, I am not as young as I used to be - silly me!
• BTW, pass the Advil! 
• Heard about a couple of minister friends who are really discouraged tonight - I hope you are praying for your minister everyday!
• Love reading the "31 days" on FACEBOOK - a great reminder to focus on a grateful heart!
• Something to Chew on; It takes no courage to criticize. But it takes great courage to do what God tells you to do while loud voices attack you. ~ Rick Warren

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped with the church family at Southwest Christian Church in Ocala today.
• There is something about hymns accompanied with an organ that is stirring. 
• Message focused on Mission Awareness this morning with the text coming from the book of Jonah.
• The book of Jonah teaches us there is a need for missions and an alternative to missions. The need for missions is great, the alternative to missions is discouraging.
• One of the great misconceptions regarding missions - "Missions begins at home!" No, missions is about taking the gospel to someone, either overseas or across the street it is not about focusing on one's self. 
• Two key ideas from my message this morning; A healthy church is a mission minded church and a great church is not known by it's seating capacity but by it's sending capacity!
• Found out today one of "my kids" from my youth ministry years helped lead worship this morning at his church. We never know how far our influence extends!
• After watching last night's game between Missouri and South Carolina we should be reminded we should never throw in the towel! 
• This past week I have watched the outpouring of love toward an alumnus' family at his passing. Years have passed, but the alumni of CFBC/FCC and now JUFL are a unique family. The memories I have from those 4 years are invaluable! 
• If you have not visited a Goodwill store, you do not know what you are missing. 
• Did you know there are only 5 weeks left in the college football regular season!
• Something to Chew on; Who we love is always more important than what we love ~ John Weece, Twitter  

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at New Hope CC in Nokomis this morning. 
• Great worship and very receptive audience.
• This mornings message dealt with the subject of the authority of God's word. 
• Funny how we have come to believe many of today's issues are up for a vote, Why, because we fail to recognize Biblical Authority. 
• Biblical authority is not intolerant it is a lifeline in a world questioning all other authority. 
• After spending 2 1/2 years traveling around the state, I think I might be ready to write a book.
• Titles I am considering; "My View; Looking at ministry though a windshield!" (this would be a salute to all my traveling.  or "I really wished I would have paid more attention in Bible College, things I did not know I would need to know" (Short title, I thought I had seen everything!)
• College football is really getting interesting.
• Watched the beginning of the Colts/Broncos Game  tonight - Colts fans really have class! 
• Is cooler weather on the way.
• For some reason I was thinking about eternity a lot today. 
• Something to Chew on; The Bible Teaches us what is right what is not right, how to get right and how to stay right! Warren Weirsbee    

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at FCC Kissimmee today, great message on the power of Intercessory Prayer. 
• While the message of Intercessory Prayer was good, Jim's example with Congressman Grayson was a perfect example. Thanks Jim for your witness.
• One of those "God things" happened this morning, I arrived at FCCK with no responsibilities, however I left being the point man for a baptism at the college, what a great blessing - The best piece of advice I can give anyone based on today's events; always look for moments to be used by God.
• Really appreciated the testimonies at ROUNDUP this year. 
• The Alumni Band did a wonderful job!
• Hey David Wheeler, your "pilgrim" illustration was great! So True!
• I am really enjoying the AMAZING RACE this season
• I am speaking to a group of men this week about the future of the church, I hope they are ready!
• With all the leadership resources available today, there really is no reason for a leadership vacuum in our culture.
• I really love this verse
• I do not understand the top 25 in college football. Some of the teams need to play someone of substance to get a ranking.
• Something to Chew On; The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That's the day we truly grow up. ~ John Maxwell   

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped in Nokomis today at the New Hope Christian Church.
• Today's message focused on becoming a people who offer grace in a grace-less society.
• The story of the Prodigal Son is really a story of 3 sons; one who left his father's home, one who left his father's heart and one who left Heaven to rescue the first two sons.
• Have you ever noticed the story of the Prodigal son has no ending? 
• Once again I realized we live in a very small world. Met a family we worshiped with in Orlando almost 30 years ago.
• Attended a funeral this week of a young girl who literally changed everyone she touched! I marveled at the faith of her parents!
• This month is clergy appreciation month, remember to thank the ones who have provided you with spiritual leadership. They truly practice second mile living everyday!
• There is an outpouring of prayer going toward an alumnus of CFBC the past few weeks, so good to be connected in this "FACEBOOK" age.
• Connecting with a long time friend in youth ministry this week, can't wait to hear what is happening in his life. 
• How can 6 weeks of college football go by so fast?
• Something to Chew on; “What is applauded as exceptional at first will then be expected because applause is addictive. But a person can only receive what is given to them by heaven.”  ~ Andy Stanley at this year's Catalyst Conference

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at our home church this morning, so nice to leave the house at 9:15 rather than 7:30!
• Great message on Truth - We do not always want to her the truth, but we need the truth.
• If we really take to heart the words of Jesus in John 3, we can understand why the carnal mind is so opposed to the ways of Jesus.
• My son's wedding was the first weekend in September and It is amazing how many offers he is receiving for home financing and other offers - Direct mail is troublesome!
• Attended a funeral of a man this week, who really understood what it meant to take advantage of opportunities in this life.
• Church leaders we must recapture this idea from John Piper's book, "Brothers, we are not professionals".
• I have to admit we have been too busy focusing on the "Professional side of Ministry" we have forgotten our first priority is to be a shepherd!
• I have heard of several alumni of JUFL going through some very difficult times this week. In light of this, I thought of the Lincoln quote below.
• Something to Chew on; “In this sad world of ours sorrow comes to all and it often comes with bitter agony. Perfect relief is not possible except with time. You cannot now believe that you will ever feel better. But this is not true. You are sure to be happy again. Knowing this, truly believing it will make you less miserable now. I have had enough experience to make this statement.” ~ Abraham Lincoln