Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Villages Christian Church in The Villages this morning.
• Mark had a great message on the importance of the Lord's Supper.
• VCC is a new church with a lot of potential for growth.
• I had a great time sharing information about JUFL with the leadership.
• Watching the Olympic swimming competition is amazing, their endurance is inspiring.
• We are 22 days away from the beginning of the school year at JUFL. Where did the summer go?
• Our recruitment teams are returning to campus, I cannot wait to hear about their experiences from their times at church camps and CIY conferences. 
• While our Life Group has not been able to meet face to face for over a year, I enjoy our zoom meetings each week. Especially last week!
• Thunderstorms and chihuahuas do not mix!
• Are you ready for some football? I am ready!
• Something to Chew on; You cannot swim for new horizons until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore, ~ William Faulkner

Sunday Night Reflections

 A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church this morning. Jim did an excellent job on a topic we seldom hear from the pulpit; The principle of Sabbath Rest! 
• In our hurry-up culture, his message was very timely. 
• I for one can share the importance of Sabbath Rest!
• If we do not REST we will BREAK!
• The first10 minutes of the opening ceremonies of the Olympics was very powerful!
• It is very routine, but I enjoy watching the parade of nations as the athletes entered Olympic Stadium. 
• One of the great joys of my job is watching generous people make kingdom decisions!
• Attended a Pastor's Dinner Friday evening with 2, 000 of my closest friends. The testimonies and messages were inspiring.
• It seems like every day I hear about the impact Covid is having on so many of my friends. 
• So thankful God has given us the gift of Prayer!
• To my public school teacher friends, I guess this is the last week of summer, play hard this week!
• How is this the last Sunday in July? 2021 is half over!
• Something to Chew on; He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life. ~ Muhammad Ali

Sunday Night Reflections

 A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church this morning. Jim spoke on the importance of faith in the believer's life. 
• Key ideas from the message; Faith produces obedience and faith compels us to serve.
• After an 8 week stint of visiting churches in Florida, it was good to worship with my church family once again. 
• I had a wonderful weekend with my family, attended the wedding of my niece on Friday evening. Congratulations Austin and Allison. Your wedding was such a wonderful celebration of married love.
• Saturday evening my granddaughter Savannah made the most important decision of her life and was baptized. I am one happy Papa!
• Spending time with my kids always brings me joy.
• This summer has been very difficult for the JUFL Recruitment Teams. I am so thankful for the work they were able to accomplish as they visited Church Camps and CIY Conferences.
• We are only 6 touchdowns, 1 field goal, and 2 extra points away from the start of the college football season! True fans will figure how many days until the fun begins!
• Something to Chew on; God grant me the courage not to give up what I think is right, even though I think it is hopeless. ~ Chester Nimitz

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• I preached at Southside Christian Church in Sarasota this morning. 
• I heard two of the most meaningful meditations this morning prior to the taking of communion and the receiving of the offering. Both men spoke eloquently deeply regarding the reason we take communion and receiving of the offering. 
• Wonderful time with some great people.
• One of my favorite things to do when traveling for the University is to join people for lunch following worship. When they ask me where would like to go, I have one response; "Take me where the locales eat." In 10 years I have yet to be disappointed and I can say the same today, Great Food, Good Company, and a Wonderful Restaurant!
• I am starting a petition to change the name of the I-4 interstate to the I-4 parking lot, seriously where are all these people coming from?
• Big news in our family, one niece had a baby last week and one niece is getting married this week. Fun times celebrating these big events! 
• Our summer recruiting teams are wrapping up their trips and will be returning home in a couple of weeks. I am looking forward to hearing the stories of their summer experience.  
• I have been spending time in the book of 2 Kings lately, once again I am reminded how leadership makes a difference in culture.  I am also amazed at the patience God has for His people. 
• Something to Chew on; Courage does not always roar, sometimes it is the quiet voice at the end of the day whispering "I will try again tomorrow." ~ Mary Anne Radmacher

Sunday Night Reflections

 A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached at Daytona Chrisitan Church this morning.
• The message focused on God's answer to the problems we face.
• It is amazing when we surrender our rights and our demands, God can work through our weaknesses.
• I also shared a message in the Bible School hour on what makes JUFL an Uncommon Community.
• I find great joy in sharing the history of CFBC/FCC/JUFL!
• This week I had a unique dining experience as I had dinner in a Puerto Rican restaurant. The waiters spoke limited English and the menu was in Spanish. I think I had a chicken dish!
• By the way, Oreos were not on the menu!
• Great dinner tonight with some old friends and some new friends.
• I wish people understood what neighborhood fireworks do to pets. Lily is stressed to the max tonight. 
• Independence Day should remind us to be thankful for the Founding Fathers who gave us a country where freedom reigns! 
• Something to Chew on; America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand. ~ Harry S. Truman

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church this morning.
• It was good to worship with my Kissimmee Christian Church family after being away for 5 weeks preaching in churches around Florida.
• Ross gave a wonderful sermon on the Great Commission.
• Key thought #1, The most important word in the Great Commission - "All"  ALL Authority, ALL Nations, Teaching them to obey ALL things and I am with you ALWAYS!
• Key thought #2, We are called to MAKE DISCIPLES!
• The remodeled Worship Center looks great. So thankful for the many people involved in giving the worship center a facelift.
• My vacation schedule has allowed me to take every Friday off during the month of June and July. I am really enjoying these Fridays Off,  To be honest, I could really get used to a 4 day work week!
• Another Florida church is closing this week, while it is a time of mourning for this church, they are leaving a lasting legacy that will impact the Kingdom of God until Jesus returns. Thank you for being kingdom-minded people!
• I rediscovered this wonderful verse in my devotional reading this week; Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4. This is a great promise!
• How can next week be Independence Day! 
• Speaking of independence Day are there ear plugs for dogs? My pup Lily has a terrible time with the 4th of July fireworks.
• College Football is only 10 Saturdays away!
• Something to Chew on; It takes courage to do something that does not make sense to anyone but you, knowing there will be great satisfaction if the prize is obtained. ~ Anonymous 

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached at the Christian Church of DeLeon Springs this morning. 
• I had a great time reconnecting with some really good friends.  I am truly blessed to have so many friends around the state of Florida.
• My message focused on evangelism and the need to step out of our comfort zone to introduce people to the life-changing message of Jesus.
• Key Point from the message; once we see obstacles before us as opportunities. We are then able to move out of our comfort zones!
• Four years ago today I had my last meaningful conversation with my father, from then on his dementia took over and we were never able to have a good conversation again. I would really like to relive that conversation today, I really miss his wisdom!
• I am halfway through my "fill-in for ministers on vacation" tour with visits to Daytona Beach and Sarasota in the next 4 weeks! I really feel like a road warrior.
• Meteorologists are saying this is the first day of summer, really? Living in Florida, we have been experiencing summer for several weeks! 
• Received three very special phone calls today - When my kids call it makes my day!
• I visited North Florida Christian Camp this past week. I have not been there since 1976, the camp sure seems smaller than I remembered.
• Something to Chew on; Speaking of Fathers;  it is only when you grow up and step back from him - or leave him for your own home - it is only then that you can measure his greatness and fully appreciate it. ~ Margaret Truman