Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped online today. The message focused on the "Essentials" 
• When everything is stripped away, what are the essential items one must have to be a person of faith?
• Today's message focused on our identity in Christ
• The question is not who we are, but to whom do we belong! 
• The song "No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus" is moving, you can hear the song by following this link Simply skip the ads and go straight to the song, The song has a simple but powerful message!
• Remember, our religious activity will never replace having a relationship with Jesus.
• 5 things I am missing because of the Shelter in Place; Spending Time with a significant friend, Seeing my kids (thank you, Mr. Jobs, for Facetime), Chinese Food, Haircuts, and Connecting with friends in person! 
• I have spent the last 3 weeks connecting with friends of the university, so good to hear why or how they are connected to JUFL.  
• When you find a Snickers Bar in the back of the refrigerator, you know it is going to be a good day! 
• A Sewing Angel visited the campus of JUFL last week and brought 20 masks for the staff. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Clara. Your masks are appreciated!
• One thing Shelter in Place has taught me; we are relational people and it is not good for us to be isolated.
• Something to Chew on; Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. ~ Leo Tolstoy

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• I listened to an online message this morning. Focusing on the Life of Mary Magdeline. 
• Can you imagine what it would be like to hear Jesus call your name? Ck. John 20:11-18 
• This year's Easter Sunday is a good reminder all we need is Jesus!
• Listening to Phil Wickham sing his song, "Living Hope" before sunrise this morning was truly encouraging. Yes, Jesus is our LIVING Hope!
• From this morning's devotion; When facing a frightening situation, God will remind us of His provision, "I can handle this situation and you will be better if you will depend on Me!" The question for each of us, have we become fearful or faithful with our current situation?
• There are at least 18 more days of "Shelter in Place" I am so glad I enjoy reading!
• What did we do before FACETIME?
• During this time of isolation, it is Ok to talk to your pets, but if they start talking back, you may have spent too long in isolation. 
• Actually, if your dog talks back, you are OK, if your cat talks back - beware!
• Something is comforting about a good PBJ sandwich and a glass of cold milk!
• Something to Chew on; Why are you looking among the dead for someone alive? He is not here, He has risen from the dead! ~ An Angel, Luke 24:5,6

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached via Lifestream at First Chrisitan Church Cocoa Beach this morning.
• I must admit is it strange preaching in an empty auditorium.
• Today is the start of Holy Week. While we are not able to physically meet in buildings next Sunday, let us remember the resurrection of Jesus gives all of us a living hope!
• Speaking of Holy Week, Max Lucado reminds us this was the time when mankind was doing his worst and God was doing His best! Amen!
• You can tell people are experiencing cabin fever, there were a lot of people walking and on bicycles this morning. 
• After reading The American Miracle, Divine Providence in the rise of the Republic by Michael Medved. I am discovering a lot about our American history I did not know. 
• The takeaway from the book is the AMAZING providence of God as part of our history! 
• This is post number 500 of my Saturday Night Reflections, That is a lot of reflecting!
• From this week's devotion, we can take comfort in knowing God goes before us, God is behind us and He stands with us (Psalm 139:7-12). With that thought in mind, we can face life with confidence in His divine plan for each of us.
• Gas is $1.70 a gallon, but we have no place to go! 
• I am really craving an Outback steak, I know I can get it to go, but it is just not the same.
• Something to Chew on; Every parting gives a foretaste of death and every reunion gives a hint of the resurrection. ~ Arthur Schopenhauer   

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached via Lifestream at First Christian Church of Cocoa Beach this morning. 
• The message was from the parable of the Good Samaritan and focused on the need for compassion in difficult circumstances.
• As we are focusing on Covid 19, it is was a good reminder of our need to be aware of the people around us who may be struggling during these difficult times. 
• From this week's devotional; If you will immerse yourself daily in the word of God you will not be caught off guard when the crisis comes. 
• Praying for my teacher friends as they begin the task of teaching online this week. 
• Speaking of prayer, it was very encouraging to be a part of a virtual prayer meeting with my team from the Tennessee campus this past week. The prayer meeting was a reminder we are a spiritual enterprise training the next generation of Kingdom Workers.
• I began reading a wonderful book this week; The American Miracle, Divine Providence in the rise of the Republic by Michael Medved. The book is very good, I recommend it without reservation. 
• I must say my cooking skills have really improved over the past few years. I am not ready for my own cooking show, but almost everything I cook is edible. 
• Just in case you are curious, I have Indiana University and the University of Florida heading to my fantasy Final Four! Yes, I know it is a fantasy, but a man can dream! 
• Something to Chew on; God never calls His people to accomplish anything without promising to supply their every need. ~ Charles Swindoll

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped online again this morning
• The message focused on Rejoicing in the face of problems from Philippians 4:4-7
• Key thought #1, the more we worry the less we trust.
• Key thought #2, One of the greatest witnesses to the world is to display peace in our troubling circumstances. 
• I watched many of my preaching friends use tech this weekend to preach.
• It is important to note, during these troubling times the gospel will be proclaimed. 
• I spent a few days in Jacksonville this past week catching up with mom. 
• She had two major projects for me, update her computer and update her phone, if all problems were as simple as updating tech, this would be a better world. 
• While I was in Jacksonville, my dog Lily had several play days with her friends. 
• Praying for my teacher friends who are transitioning to distant learning this week. They will face new challenges, but I am praying they will have new opportunities as well!
• OK let's admit it, watching old sporting events on ESPN is not the same as watching a game live. 
• I sure hope NFL football season is not canceled this Fall, there are some interesting trades being made making the 2020 season intriguing. 
• Gas in Kissimmee is less than $2.00 a gallon, this is great, but now we have no place to go!
• I still do not understand the toilet paper rush!
• Just in case you are tracking, we would be down to the Sweet 16 today, #March Sadness!
• I typed in March Sadness and auto-correct wanted to change it to March Madness, even computers are missing the brackets this year!
• Something to Chew on; A frightened world needs a fearless church. ~ A. W. Tozer

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped online this morning. Pastor David of First Baptist Church Orlando had a great message on the Beatitude; Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 
• Key thought #1 from the message, we must practice mercy, because we have received mercy from our Heavenly Father.  
• Key thought #2, When you are merciful, you erase the debt of others.
• Technology is amazing as over 4,000 devices were watching the sermon online this morning.
• We live in a wonderful time for the gospel to go into all the world!
• I cannot imagine the dilemma many churches had last week regarding the virus, do you hold public worship services or do you go online. I am sure there were many prayers asking God for wisdom this past week.
• I celebrate my 9th year as Director of Advancement at Johnson University Florida today. Oh, the places I have traveled and the things I have seen!
• Maybe I will write a book about all of my travels one day!
• No March Madness this year, this is the ultimate Bracket Buster!
• Driving to work in the dark is not fun! Who came up with Daylight Savings Time?
• Something to Chew on; Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need. ~ Hebrews 4:16

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Northeast Christian Church in Kissimmee this morning.
• Justin preached a message from the Life of Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus. 
• Very good message, I cannot recall if I have ever heard a message on the life of Judas.
• Key Thought from today's message; It is possible to hear the message of Jesus and still not be moved by His amazing grace.
• Judas heard the messages and saw the miracles Jesus performed, yet he was not moved by the Savior. May we never make that same mistake!
• The second sermon of the day reminded me of the importance of hungering and thirsting for His righteousness!
• Too often we look for other items to satisfy us, and that is just not possible. 
• Wonderful time at Lake Aurora Christian Camp at the men's retreat. Great workshops and challenging messages.
• It was also good to see my one of my sons attend the retreat, nothing thrills me more than to see my kids grow in their faith. 
• JUFL men's basketball team is headed to the nationals this week. BTW JUTN is also in the nationals, this could get interesting!
• Speaking of men's basketball, it is almost "Bracket Season"
• When you find a klondike bar in the back of the freezer, you have discovered a hidden treasure.
• Extra daylight this evening equals more time to walk and enjoy the outdoors - Blessed!
• Savannah is in a play this week, time for Papa duty, yep, I will be there to see the play. I am sure it will be "Oscar-worthy"
• Something to Chew on; Not all of us can do great things. but we can do small things with great love. ~ Mother Teresa