Sunday Night Reflections

 A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church this morning.
• Jim preached a message from Genesis 3 reminding us the consequences of sin. 
• People often forget the momentary pleasure of sin carries consequences. Sometimes there are temporary consequences to sin, but there are always eternal consequences for our sins.
• It was also good to catch up with some good friends, Bobby and Patsy Ann. Covid has truly made our gatherings difficult.
• We are designed for community, we are NOT designed for loneliness and isolation!
• Trusted friends are a gift from God!
• Our life group kicked off our new Bible Study Friday evening with a study on the dangerous prayers from the Bible.
• I am afraid we offer safe prayers to our Heavenly Father, yet He is waiting for us to offer up dangerous prayers.
• Here is a dangerous prayer; Search me and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Psalm 139:23 
• I celebrated my daughter's birthday yesterday - She has discovered a new Hibachi/Sushi restaurant in St. Pete - Good times! 
• One of my New Year's Resolutions is holding true, only snacking on 2 White Fudge Oreos each day! The struggle is real!
• Something to Chew on; Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts. ~ Winston Churchhill

Sunday Night Reflections

 A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• I preached at First Christian Church of Bradenton this morning.
• The message focused on "An Uncommon Place" Question, what makes a Christian University an uncommon place? 
• Answer; Mission, Faculty who see themselves as mentors, not just educators, and a desire to see the Kingdom of God expand throughout the world! 
• There are not too many Uncommon Places in our culture today!
• The members of FCC Bradenton enjoy singing the old hymns with Gusto! 
• I left home at 7:15 this morning and returned home at 6:20 this evening, needless to say, it was a long day.
• Special treat about traveling to Bradenton, Lunch with some of my best friends.  I am always blessed when I spent time with Guthrie and Barbara.
• I learned that one of the elders of the church I served in Anderson IN passed away last week, MIke thank you for your example of what a godly leader looks like! Well Done!
• I take great comfort in the knowledge God is aware of our hurts, See Psalm 56:8 regarding how God handles our tears.
• Lesson Learned from life group Friday evening; not all hotels put out the welcome mat for you.
• Our students return to JUFL later this week. Sure has been quiet without their presence on campus.
• This Florida boy is not liking this week's cold weather. Yep, turned the furnace on today!
• Last week, I shared my word for the year is Courage; To keep me focused on my word I will post a courage quote each week in my Something to Chew on space - This week...
• Something to Chew on; "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends." ~ J.K. Rowling

Sunday Night Reflections

 A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• I preached at Orange Park Christian Church this morning on the subject of worship.
• Key thought #1, Worship is where we make space for God in our life.
• Key thought #2, Worship is where we meet God and God meets us.
• While it is important to prepare to worship God corporately, let us not forget it is vital we prepare personally to worship God each week.
• 3 years ago, my friend Suzy, introduced me to the concept of choosing a word to focus on and to live by for the upcoming year. There is power in words and just one word can inspire us to trust God and live out our faith each and every day. After a time of prayer and reflection, the word I have chosen for 2021 is COURAGE! 
• I am walking in faith to see how God will give me courage in a variety of ways this year.
• Thank you dolphins for giving us a run toward the playoffs, normally we had nothing to cheer for this late in the season.
• Are you getting tired of Zoom meetings? Be honest!
• Once again I was reminded how much I hate cancer. Yet we take comfort there will be a day when there will be no more pain, no more sorrow, and He will wipe away every tear from our eyes.
• To my public school teacher friends, yep, tomorrow you have to return to school. Hang in there, remember it is the SECOND semester!
• Something to Chow on; All of us are uniquely called and gifted for our part of His mission: to follow Jesus and to lead others to do the same. ~ Pastor Danny de Armas

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church today. Their youth minister, Lance brought the message today.
• The message focused on our role as Ambassadors for Christ. 
• When we realize we speak for Christ, there should be a change in our attitude, our words, and our deeds.
• Another Christmas is in the books, and my house is quiet tonight.
• How long should your Christmas tree stay up after Christmas?
• A Sad State of Affairs; A Saturday without College Football, well at least we will get a few bowl games this week.
• I am trying to remember "Earth has no sorrow that heaven can't heal"
• A WAWA hot chocolate really hits the spot on a cold night.
• I have a stock of White Chocolate Oreos in the freezer. 
• 2021 is just around the corner, were we not just talking about Y2K a couple of years ago?
• My new planner begins tomorrow and I already have 3 weddings on my calendar for 2021.
• Unfortunately, I have to return to work tomorrow. Remind me again, when is that retirement date? 
• Something to Chew on; As we look toward 2021, Let's consider Joshua 1:9, Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

 

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• I was able to hear two good messages this morning. I miss preaching during the Christmas season.
• Key thought from the first message; Joy is not found in what is around you, Joy is found in what happens inside of you.  
• Key thought from message number 2, God's new thing is found in the new covenant he is establishing with us.
• Wrapping up Through the Bible in a Year reading plan; this week I was in the book of Habakkuk. I do not think I have ever preached a message from his minor prophet. 
• The Christmas tree is up and all the lights work! It is a Christmas Miracle!
• The new USPS Christmas commercial is another misty-eyed moment.
• I made my annual trek to the DMV this past week. I love purchasing a new car registration at Christmas time - NOT!
• My favorite Christmas tradition; Freshly baked cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning! So Good!  
• What did we do before Amazon?
• All that is left in the College Football season are the bowl games. How did 12 weeks go by so quickly?
• BTW, if you gave up at halftime, you missed a very exciting second half Saturday evening.
• Something to Chew on; Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection. ~ Winston Churchill

Sunday Night Reflections

 A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• A wonderful morning of worship today at First Orlando, Chris did a great job with a very familiar passage from Luke 2:8-20.
• I always find it interesting how preachers can find new ways to tell the Christmas narrative from Luke's gospel.
• A penetrating question this morning; What do you do when you hear Good News? Answer; Go, Tell, and Worship.
• A key thought from the message this morning; It does not matter how far you go just that you go wherever you are.
• Friday evening, JUFL presented our virtual Christmas program Simply Christmas; If you missed Friday night's performance you can access it here. BTW it will only be available until Christmas Eve. Trust me you will enjoy the presentation.
• So thankful for the generosity of the musicians and singers who donated their talents to make Simply Christmas happen.
• Last Christmas my dear friend gave me a copy of Experiencing God Devotional I am almost ready to complete the devotional and I will be honest, the devotional has been challenging. Thank you, Suzy.
• OKAY, who is hoarding the White Chocolate Oreos again?
• I know I talk about Oreos a lot, but my favorite holiday snack is Chex Mix Party Mix, it is so addictive.
• Hey, teacher friends, only one week left in the semester - you've got this!
• Florida Weather, mid 40's last week, 79 today. 
• Hey Gators, just to make sure you understand; the offense throws the ball, the defense DOES NOT throw a shoe!
• An Undisciplined Play cost you dearly; in national rankings and in respect from others.
• Something to Chew on; Remember, George, no man is a failure who has friends. ~ Clarence the Angel in "It is a Wonderful Life"

Sunday Night Reflections

 A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshipped at First Baptist Church of Clermont and Eastside Christian Church of Orlando this morning. Yep, it was a two-fer Sunday!
• Both ministers began their Christmas messages today, two different messages regarding the Christmas season.
• I have to admit, I miss preaching during the Christmas season. 
• Quotes from today's messages; When we replace the eternal with the temporal we no longer have a Merry Christmas, we have a Messy Christmas. 
• The right relationship gives us the right standing God. Jesus is the payment that satisfies our sin problem. 
• To have a Merry Christmas one must stop focusing on "getting" and begin focusing on "giving".
• The Christmas season reminds us God is bringing His people back to Him, God is making us righteous and God has provided for us a new shepherd.
• The college football season is drawing to a close way too quickly. 
• Does anyone remember receiving the Christmas Wishbook from Sears each year? 
• I am really missing Disney's Candlelight Processional at Epcot this year.
• This Friday evening Johnson University is presenting Simply Christmas. You can check it out by visiting the Johnson University website. Trust me, it is a wonderful presentation.
• I have seen the movie many times, yet every time the people of Bedford Falls respond to George Bailey's need in It Is A Wonderful Life, I still get misty-eyed.
• Something to Chew on; Strange isn't it, Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he is not around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he? ~ Clarence, It is a wonderful life.