Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• I preached at Southwest Christian Church in Ocala this morning on the topic of grace.
• The key point from the message, God always recognizes people of grace not by their words but by their actions.
• There is something comforting about old hymns, music truly is the language of the heart.
• Watched a man in a wheelchair serving the congregation communion this morning, what is holding you back from serving others?
• I also gave a University Update to a combined Bible School class this morning. There is something special about sharing our story with people unfamiliar with JUFL.
• Rekindled a friendship with a college classmate today, it is so hard to imagine we have known each other for over 40 years.
• Savannah turned 7 this week, time goes by so fast!
• I do not like the ending of daylight savings time, dark at 5:30 p.m., who thought that was a good idea? 
• Sometimes you just want a good doughnut! 
• School teachers are superheroes and by the way, they do not need capes or superpowers! 
• I visited my teenage home today, I wish I could say it was a pleasant experience, unfortunately, the neighborhood has changed and not for the better. Sad to see what has happened to the house my dad built.
• Wawa hot chocolate really hits the spot!
• Something to Chew on; He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. ~ Epictetus

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Vero Christian Church this morning.
• Steve did a great job speaking on the subject of an ordinary day with an extraordinary God.
• Key thought from the message; Irritations can reveal our character, but we should use the irritations to experience the grace of God when we look to Him. 
• Communion thought; Forgiveness always has a price! May we never forget the price that was paid for our redemption. 
• I left Kissimmee this morning at 5:50, but God allowed me to see a wonderful sunrise, well worth the early morning drive! His use of colors is amazing.
• Just in case you are curious, there are no traffic jams at 5:50 in the morning 
• My annual visit to Vero Christian was encouraging, they are great friends of JUFL and it is always good to see what God is doing through the ministry of VCC.
• Celebrated my oldest son's birthday this weekend, how can he be 39 years old? I guess I blinked!
• The fins have a 2 games win streak, should I begin looking for playoff tickets?
• Question; How can you blow out a team by 56 points and drop in the polls?
• 28 of our students are traveling to Kansas City this week for the International Conference on Missions. Praying for safety as well as open hearts and minds as they seek mission opportunities.
• Tomorrow is Veterans Day, I want to thank my dad, his brothers and my brother for their service to our country. SALUTE!
• Something to Chew on; Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. ~ Winston Churchill, 1940

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church this morning.
• I witnessed the baptismal waters stir once again, this never gets old.
• The morning message focused on Gratitude from the small Old Testament book of Habakkuk.
• To recapture a spirit of gratitude one needs to focus on two "R's" Remember and Rejoice. Remember what God has done for you and Rejoice that he remains faithful in His love toward us.
• A second message I heard today focused on the life of Jonah. 
• The key point of the message, Jonah knew the heart of God, but he did not have the heart of God. 
• In our preaching, we must remember the goal is not information, but transformation! Keep that in mind and our preaching will be powerful.
• A friend sent me a picture of the white chocolate Oreos this past weekend - yes it is the most wonderful time of the year.
• Breaking News, The FINS won today, and it was not on local TV. Why?
• I watched the lighting of Cinderella's castle at WDW tonight via Lifestream tonight - I am making it a point to see it live during the Christmas season. 
• No one does the holidays like Disney!
• Oh no, only three weeks left in the college football season.
• 5:45 and it is dark!
• Something to Chew on; It is hard to convince people that a God they cannot see loves them when a church they can see does not seem to like them. ~ John Allen Turner

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church this morning.
• Dr. Chambers and I recognized the church for their faithfulness in serving and in generosity.
• So good to celebrate such faithfulness!
• Speaking of generosity it is nice to hear the reports of Pastor Appreciation Month.
• While gifts are nice for your pastor during this time of year, it is more important to pray and support your pastor every day. 
• Ministry is a high calling, so ministers, make sure you are praying for your congregation daily as well.
• I spent some time in South Florida with a good friend in ministry. So exciting to see what God is doing through Scott and his team.
• Spent some time last week planning the future of my department at JUFL, the future is both challenging and exciting!  
• When churches remember to keep the main thing the main thing it is amazing to see how God moves!
• Saturday night I had the opportunity to see Les Miserables, I still have a couple of the songs going through my head! Wonderful play, wonderful date!
• How can there only be 5 weeks left in the college football season?
• There are only 54 days left until winter, that means something to people living outside of Florida, for us, it means another day in paradise! 
• Something to Chew on; Let every person abide in the calling wherein they are called and their work will be as sacred as the work of ministry. It is not what a person does that determines whether their work is sacred or secular, it is why they do it! ~ A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God, The Human Thirst for the Divine.

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Christ's Church of Orlando this morning. 
• Great fellowship serving the South Downtown area of Orlando.
• The minister kicked off a new sermon series; "The Bible Tells Me So" focusing on God's revelation to us via scripture. 
• One thing about traveling around the state representing JUFL is I never get to hear a minister's complete sermon series.
• Their connections ministry is top-notch, very welcoming and helpful to guests visiting the church. 
• Interesting quote from the message; If I could see as God sees, I would do ad God says.
• Attended my first UCF football game this past weekend, I now know why the stadium is called the "Bounce House"
• So thankful for strong building codes!
• The Ultimate evening snack; a Panera Chocolate Chip Cookie and a glass of cold milk. Good stuff!
• I connected with some old friends from my days in youth ministry today, although it was a very brief visit it was so good to see them again. 
• Christan friendships simply give us a preview of the fellowship we will enjoy in heaven.
• Something to Chew on; When you examine the Word of God, the Word of God examines you. ~ Jack Wellman

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Chrisitan Church this morning.
• The message focused on the authority of God's word.
• It is comforting to know we have a book that is not defined by human reasoning, but by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Tony was right, we do not get what we deserve, Thank you, Jesus!
• I am thankful for the App "YouVersion", this is a great tool for study and devotional reading.
• I spent part of the week at the Spire Conference in Orlando. 
• Inspiring, challenging and encouraging, all three words described last week's conference.
• Connected with several alumni who are involved in a variety of church planting ventures. It was so good to hear their stories!
• I do not say this enough, but the student workers who work in my department at JUFL are top-notch. Thank you, Kiara and Kayla. I so appreciate both of you!
• Speaking of appreciation, this month is clergy appreciation month, I hope you will have the opportunity to show some appreciation to your minister.
• When my kids visit, I am reminded of the blessing of family! I am blessed because all my children live less than 2 hours away from me.
• What did we do before Crock Pots? 
• Tonight is the 475th Sunday Night Reflection.  
• Something to Chew on; If you want to change the world, go home and love your family. ~ Mother Teresa

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church this morning.
• Jim preached one of the finest messages on Christian Apologetics I have heard in a long time.
• There is a reason for our faith!
• Faith or Chance, there really is not a choice! One gives you endless hope, while the other leads to a hopeless end. 
• I enjoy our small group, a great fellowship, a caring community, and the desserts are not bad either!
• This week we discussed snakes, loincloths and other items that cause us to fear in this life.
• One item we discussed Friday was how a healthy fear of the Lord will give us the courage to overcome the world’s fears and help us to do all that God calls us to do.
• A faithful servant is retiring from his ministry this week. Lee, you have done a wonderful job leading God's people in Sarasota. Looking forward to hearing about the next chapter in your life. Thank you for your faithfulness.
• Today I was reminded once again how much I hate cancer. Looking forward to "The Day" when cancer and all other diseases will be banished forever!
• Watching the fireworks at Disney never gets old.
• There are only 86 days left in 2019, are you making every day count?
• Good News, the Dolphins did not lose today! They had a bye, but they did not lose! 
• Something to Chew on;  True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that - it is a spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth. ~ Charles Spurgeon