Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Journey Christian Church, Apopka this weekend. 
• Great message from the Gospel narratives of Matthew and Luke.
• 4 times in the narrative an Angel says "do not be afraid" This weekend's message; do not be afraid to pursue your purpose; focusing on the role of the shepherds of Bethlehem.
• Loved the alternative to a candlelight service - one word; Glowsticks!
• It is hard to believe 2016 is almost over. 
• Several alums of JUFL hanging out at my house this evening; football, food and good times!
• I am not going to lie, Christmas Eve was extremely difficult.
• So thankful for the many texts and messages of encouragement the last couple of days, godly friends are such a blessing.
• Dolphins, Playoffs, who thought it possible 5 weeks into the season?
• I am so proud of my 3 kids. 
• The college bowl season is here, yes, it is the most wonderful time of the year.
• So it begins, I will be visiting 4 churches in the first 5 weeks of 2017. 
• There is a reason they call it Amazing Grace!
• Something to Chew on; He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ~ Roy Smith

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at River Run Christian Church, Melbourne this morning. The church has such a wonderful spirit.
• It is true the church takes on the personality of the senior minister. Dan has done a wonderful job encouraging the church family in Melbourne.
• Great seeing the children's Christmas program this morning. My little Savannah played the role of an angel. I may be prejudice, but I think she is typed cast! 
• Quick trip to Jacksonville to celebrate my birthday, please Santa, bring that city some sane drivers!
• Had a birthday this weekend, my mom asked me if I felt older? I just feel as if time is flying by!
• Last year on my Birthday, I visited Kathy in the hospital, this year I placed flowers on her grave, Not the way I wanted to spend the last two birthdays!
• This week is the worst!
• I have said this many times but I am so thankful for the many friends I have made through ministry, so many of YOU have sustained me this past year!
• Can you name the only Christmas Carol that mentions Satan?
• I have heard a lot of Christmas carols this year, but I have yet to hear Jingle Dogs, here is the link. It just goes to show we will listen to anything during the Christmas season.
• The dolphins control their playoff destiny, be still my fast beating heart. 
• Something to Chew on; “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago) ~ Luke 2:68-70

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church today, great message on the life and commitment of  Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. 
• Key take away from the message; Joseph was a "Just" man. When a man is just, righteous and holy he will make wise decisions. 
• We cannot underestimate the role the father plays in shaping a family, when will the secular society learn this lesson?
• Invitation time was powerful as well.
• I miss preaching at this time of the year.
• Friday night's "Night of Noel" at JUFL was a wonderful experience. So many gracious comments shared by the audience - Night of Noel has to be my favorite event at JUFL.
• Tonight's Candlelight Processional at Epcot was fantastic, Robby Benson's narration was spot on!
• I have said it before and I will say it again, I am amazed at the generosity of God's people.
• Finals week at JUFL, one semester down  one semester left for the 2016-2017 academic year, time is flying by!
• My granddaughter is in a couple of Christmas programs over the next few days, proud Papa will be at both, you can count on it!
• Is there a better word at Christmas than the word JOY?
• Something to Chew on; Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened. ~ Dr. Suess 

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church this morning.
• Great message on how to pray from the 1st chapter of Colossians.
• Jim always delivers a challenging message.
• Great worship as well, today really recharged my spiritual batteries.
• The longer I attend KCC, the more I appreciate our ministry staff.
• It is so good to be off the road for a few weeks.
• I have recently rediscovered Rich Mullins, his lyrics are truly thoughtful.
• Here is a good song that should be on your playlist. 
• I had a wonderful time at the Tison Christmas party in Jacksonville Saturday. Here are the stats; 40 Tisons, 4 generations, 2 solos, 1 very confusing game, a slideshow celebrating our heritage, some really good food and a lot of laughing. GOOD TIMES!
• Coming up Friday is the Annual Night of Noel at Johnson University Florida, Now it is is Christmas! 
• The college football season is coming to a close, now what?
• 7 months today, Oh how I miss her.
• Something to Chew on; I have found a desire within myself that no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. ~ C.S.Lewis

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached at River Run Christian Church (Brevard) this morning. 
• Watched the baptismal waters stir once again!
• We sang my favorite hymn today, "Holy, Holy, Holy" I could sing that hymn every Sunday. I love the first part of verse 2, "All the saints adore thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea." I am truly looking forward to that day!
• All my kids were here for Thanksgiving we all traveled to Jacksonville to be with my extended clan, what a great weekend!
• I will admit there were a few tough moments as I thought about Kathy all through the weekend.
• Don't look now, December is just a few days away!
• Online Shopping Rocks
• Can we have a moment of silence as the college football season is quickly coming to a close?
• Had lunch with some wonderful friends today, I really love being with them!
• Connected with some former members of PBCC today, SO GOOD TO SEE THEM.
• I have been a dolphin fan for many years, please, please, Don't let us down!
• Something to Chew on; Tears shed for another person are not a sign of weakness. They are the sign of a pure heart. ~ Jose N. Harris

Sunday Night Reflecitons

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Wonderful day worshiping at Kissimmee Christian Church this morning. 
• Tom brought a great message on the power of God to handle whatever comes your way.
• You can tell he loves God and His church.
• It was a welcome relief this morning to wake up and simply "go to church" rather than travel someplace for a church service.
• I still woke up at 5:30 today, this is a habit I would like to break!
• 39 Johnson University Florida students attended the International Conference on Missions this weekend. Can't wait to hear the stories!
• If you have a high school student thinking about missions as a calling, you have to visit JUFL, our intercultural studies is top notch! Trust me when I say it is a worth a visit to the campus - when you arrive ask for Kendi.
• If I had it to do over again, I would spend more time working in the area of leadership development in the local church, John was right, EVERYTHING RISES and FALLS on LEADERSHIP.
• This Thursday is my favorite holiday, I am going to try to enjoy it even though I am missing a very special part of life. Don't say this very often, but pray for me this week!
• Now that the sun is setting around 6:00 pm my home seems more lonely in the evenings.
• Did you see Oreo has a new cookie?
• Want to know why college football is so much fun to watch, just look at the last 3 seconds of the gators/tigers game yesterday.
• Do stores really need to be open on Thursday, I mean can't we wait to be rude, pushy, angry, overspend, argue over parking spaces and just be impatient until Black Friday?
• Something to Chew on; Happiness is not the absence of problems, it is the ability to deal with them. ~ Steve Maraboli

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Vero Christian Church today, attending their annual mission emphasis weekend.
• Great message from one of my good friends in life and in ministry.
• Two words I have not heard in a sermon in a long time; Apologetic and Hermeneutic, Preach it Steve
• I love attending Vero Christian's missions weekend, the church family is genuinely excited about world wide missions. 
• Following my trip to Vero Beach, I had a great time at my granddaughter's 4th birthday.
• I have to be honest, I do not a lot of experience shopping for 4 year olds! So glad my daughter was my shopper!
• Realizing how much Kathy loved Savannah's birthday parties brought on another grief burst - I hate those moments!
• Today, the school provided car crossed over 100,000 miles - Oh the places I have been.
• One more preaching trip this calendar year and then I get to rest! 
• One of the great things about traveling for the University is I get to see other mission reps on a semi-regular basis. We have a mutual calling and a mutual friendship that others simply do not understand. 
• I do not know about you but I am finding the lack of political ads on TV this week refreshing.
• How can there be only 3 more weeks left in the college football season! 
• Don't look now, but the dolphins are making some noise - Hey  Fins, please do not break my heart!
• I am so proud of my kids.
• Something to Chew on; You may delay, but time will not. ~ Benjamin Franklin