Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached at River Run Christian Church in Melbourne this morning on the Authority of God's word.
• Wonderful time seeing many friends from years past. There really is nothing like the family of God!
• Key Lesson #1, When one evaluates the structure and uniqueness of the Bible, one comes away with the conclusion the Bible is the Word of God. 
• Key Lesson #2, we are not saved by believing the Bible we are saved by believing in the One who is revealed in the Bible; Jesus!  
• Great time at Roundup yesterday, so good to reconnect with alumni and friends of JUFL. 
• Once again I am humbled by the generosity of God's people.
• BTW, generosity is not always tied to resources, some of the most generous people I know have limited resources.   
• While yesterday was the Last Roundup, I am looking forward to the new opportunities on the horizon for the University. 
• Now that the Gator's season is all but over, it looks like my Saturdays are freed up.
• Looks like it is time to turn my attention to college basketball.
• I have to admit the extra hour of sleep was wonderful last night.
• 50 days until Christmas! How can that be!
• Two very special birthdays this week, my dad turned 80 yesterday and my oldest son turns 37 on Wednesday. 
• I can understand my dad turning 80, but how can I have a 37-year-old son? 
• Something to Chew on; Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face. ~ Ronald Regan 

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church this morning.
• Wonderful message from Luke 16 on the subject of having an eternal perspective.
• In spite of all the things calling for my attention, I hope I live with an eternal perspective.
• Great watching the student ministry take the lead in worship this morning.
• Also, the baptismal waters stirred once again!
• I am representing JUFL in three churches over the next 3 Sundays and then it is Thanksgiving, What happened to 2017.
• The longer I live the more I understand the need for rhythm in our lives, rest is essential for good health.
• We are saying goodbye to one of our events at the university this Saturday as we gather for the Last Roundup. It is time for something new.
• This week I finished reading the book, "God is in Control" by Charles Stanley. This small book is a great read regarding the sovereignty of God in our lives. 
• While I appreciate the extra hour of sleep we will have next Saturday evening, I do not like the fact it will be dark at 6:00 pm starting next week as Daylight Savings Time ends.  
• She likes the Big 10, I like the SEC I am sure we will have some interesting conversations during the college bowl season!
• Something went amiss in Gainesville, AGAIN!
• Something to Chew on; If He allowed it, God intends to turn that pain, hurt, loss or difficulty into something good in your life. ~ Charles Stanley from his book "God is in Control"

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church this morning. 
• Great message from Luke 16 about the Rich Man and Lazarus.
• Key thought;  Lazarus sat outside the gate of the rich man, so the rich man had to walk past Lazarus daily. How many people do we walk past as we go to church each week?
• Another great worship song, that I would like to hear more often during a time of worship.
• Spent time with my dad this weekend, dementia is a terrible illness. 
• Will we ever find a cure for such a debilitating disease? 
• Attended a funeral of a long time preacher yesterday. Once again we were reminded; Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on... They may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.
• Well, the Gators did not lose this weekend! 
• I am often amazed how the theater can truly transform a stage into a moving Broadway production.
• When you are 58 years old and you are trying to take a selfie... well let's just say there is room for improvement. 
• When will White Chocolate Oreo show up on grocery store shelves? 
• Pumpkin Spice is everywhere, but pumpkin spice Oreos is just wrong!
• Something to Chew on; Human beings by their very nature are worshippers. Worship is not something we do; it defines who we are. You cannot divide human beings into those who worship and those who don't. Everybody worships; it is just a matter of what or whom, we serve. ~ Paul David Tripp

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at First Baptist Church Orlando this morning.
• Great message from their series "Believe" 
• Inspiring worship!
• Exciting to hear what is on the horizon for this body of believers
• Question; does your church welcome the Chaos of Belief?
• Another Florida church closed this past Sunday, sad to receive the news.
• Attended a "Celebration of Life" service for a dear Christian sister this past Saturday. My heart hurts for her family!
• Remember "There will be a day"
• You look forward to the college football season all year and then your team lays a couple eggs the last two of weeks and you think I waited all year for this!
• I guess there is always next year!
• Attended a High School football game Friday night, High School has changed a lot since 1976!
• While the game was tough to watch the company was great!
• Chihuahuas make me smile.
• Purchased a new Ortberg book this weekend, can't wait to dive into this new read.
• Something to Chew on; In my deepest, darkest moments, what really got me through was a prayer. Sometimes my prayer was "Help Me". Sometimes a prayer was "Thank You". What I have discovered is that intimate connection and communication with my creator will always get me through because I know my support, my help is just a prayer away. ~ Iyania Vanzant 

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached at Fort Caroline Christian Church in Jacksonville today on the subject of the compassion of Christ.
• Wonderful worship by Damon and the team. 
• Baptismal waters stirred once again, what a great day!
• The greatest of compassion we can show others is to introduce them to Jesus Christ!
• I really enjoy preaching!
• Why does movie theater popcorn taste better than popcorn popped at home?
• Friendship Defined; The ability to speak the truth, even when it hurts!
• Today is clergy appreciation day, I hope my preaching colleagues know they are loved by their flock and if not, remember we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying please people, but God, who tests our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4
• I was reminded today that Indiana won their football game and the Gators did not. Oh, how that hurts!
• How can the Gators and Seminoles not be in the top 25, but UCF and USF are ranked. The power is a shifting! 
• Something to Chew on; I cannot even imagine where I would be today if it were not for a handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun. ~ Charles Swindoll.

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts about an Amazing Day...

• Preached at New Beginnings Christian Church in Tampa this morning.
• Three services plus Sunday School, I have very little voice left today.
• My hat is off to my fellow preachers who preach multiple times on Sunday, you guys are real warriors. I do not think congregations realize how difficult it is to preach multiple times on Sunday.
• When I recall the history of CFBC/FCC/JUFL in my church presentation, I am amazed how God has used a college in Central Florida to impact the world for Christ. 
• Here is a question I have been pondering lately; Why do so many church leaders act like church managers rather than church leaders? Maybe they have forgotten their BIBLICAL calling as God's shepherds of God's church.
• Why does cable TV cost so much?
• Why have they not invented Pumpkin Spice bottled water?
• Attended a funeral of a young man this week, I really long for the day when God will wipe away every tear! 
• The Fall TV season is upon us, nothing is really grabbing my attention.
• I am always amazed at the friendliness of Disney cast members, their customer service rocks.
• Something to Chew on; When you stop expecting people to be perfect, you can like them for who they are. ~ Donald Miller 

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church this morning and then returned to KCC to preach for the evening service. 
• Jim and I both preached on the topic of Love today, funny how we both preached on the same topic and yet had different takes on the topic.
• The takeaway from the morning message; The opposite of love is not hate, it is indifference.
• The takeaway from the evening message; Love is must be demonstrated if it is to be genuine in the community of believers.
• Once again I was reminded of the community of believers as I met the first youth intern who served with me back in my youth ministry days. So good to see you today, Bill.
• I am so blessed by the kind comments of so many friends. 
• Every Sunday is a good day, but this one was especially a good Sunday! 
• The MVP of the month Septemeber has to be the Linemen of the electric power companies, we really do take for granted the convenience of flipping on a light switch and having lights until the power is taken out by a natural disaster. 
• How can this be the last Sunday in Septemeber?
• I think the Gators are living close to the edge. In fact, in the words of the theologian Jon Bon Jovi; they may be living on a prayer!
• Something to Chew on; Only the guy who isn't rowing the boat has time to rock the boat. ~ Jean-Paul Sartre