Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church today.
• Great message on Jesus cleansing the temple. I love when preachers bring something fresh to the text, Thank you, Tom.
• Here is a question one needs to answer regarding the style of worship; Does the Sunday Worship satisfy self or does it glorify God?
• JUFL students return in 18 days! I cannot wait to hear about internships and experiences from this past summer. 
• July is over, only 5 months left in the year. I think someone has put 2017 on Fast Forward. 
• Do we even say "Fast Forward" anymore?
• Pandora's "One Hit Wonder" station has me asking whatever happen to some of the singing groups from the 70's? Gone but not forgotten!
• Today I read about one of the kids from my former youth ministry days is transitioning out of a 10-year youth ministry into a new role at the church he serves. First I felt old, then I felt proud! Great job John, God is using you in a big way! 
• Question, with all this talk about "Christmas in July", did anyone get a "Christmas in July" bonus? Just wondering.
• I had a great vacation last week, really feel refreshed. Good Friends, Good Food and now Good Memories!
• Something to Chew on; Make space in your life for the things that matter, for family and friends, love and generosity, fun and joy. Without this, you will burn out in mid career and wonder where your life went. ~ Jonathan Sacks

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church this morning.
• Wonderful message from Matthew 19 by Shane Wood.
• Key Idea #1, You matter to God!
• Key Idea #2, If there is to be a difference in this world it will not be because of our culture, our government or because of any outside force, but true transformation will happen when God's people,  begin to see the value in others. Remember all people matter to God.
• So blessed by the staff of KCC
• I am curious, what is the first song you think we will sing in heaven? I am leaning toward the old Hymn, "Holy, Holy, Holy" But it could be Chris Tomlin's "Home".
• I received a lot of comfort from this blog post last week. 
• Vacationing with some good friends this week. Ministry friends are the best.
• I really do not understand Christmas in July.
• In 4 months, White Fudge Covered Oreos will return to the grocery stores, yes it will be the most wonderful time of the year!
• The waves at our beaches are so enticing, I wish I could pitch a tent by the seashore.
• Today we tip our hat to Willis Carrier, the inventor of Air Conditioners. For us Floridians, it truly has been a game changer!
• Man Buns??????
• Something to Chew on; The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. ~ Nicolas Chamfort 

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church this morning.
• Wonderful message on Apologetics from David Peters. Great reminder that we must all defend the faith, yet with gentleness and respect.
• Baptismal waters stirred once again, this never gets old!
• Returned to KCC tonight to see the JUFL High School Music Camp RESOUND perform - what a blessing to see such talented teenagers share their gifts.
• Shout out to our JUFL alumni who served as RESOUND mentors this past week, they all have servant's hearts!
• One of the most under appreciated attributes of God is His faithfulness to his children. As the book of Lamentations says it so well, Great is His Faithfulness!
• If you want to take a 2-hour break from reality; go see the movie Wonder Woman,  No bad language, no inappropriate scenes, just good fun.  
• Experienced a very good Mexican restaurant this weekend, very tasty.
• I believe Humidity is part of the curse of the Fall of Man. 
• This song is quickly becoming one of my favorite songs of worship. 
• Tonight someone asked me "How am I doing?" I told him, "There are good days and there are bad days, but thankfully there are more good days than bad days now" - God has been and continues to be FAITHFUL!
• Today is National Ice Cream day, it is hard to beat REAL Vanilla ice cream from Florida's favorite grocery store. If you are not sure what store I am talking about the name of the store ends with the letter X! 
• Just in case you are curious.
• Something to Chew on; The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. ~ St. Frances de Sales 

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached at Kissimmee Christian Church this morning.
• Today's message focused on Zaccheus and his actions to seek out Jesus.
• Key thought #1, Zaccheus did not let anything stop him from seeking Jesus.
• Key thought #2, Jesus is always willing to stop and offer grace to people who need this amazing gift!
• One of the reasons I make KCC my "Home Church" is the words of encouragement I receive on a weekly basis!
• How can summer be half over?
• Attended the funeral of a faithful minister on Wednesday. Here is a question, are you spending time with the people who will cry at your funeral?
• I had to smile at today's scripture reading from the one-year Bible. I have to agree with the wise words of Solomon 
• And yes, I found favor in the Lord!
• Hospice continues to do a wonderful job following up on my life situation.
• As warm as it has been in July, I am really concerned about August. Better have the A/C unit checked out.
• You can never have too much ice cream!
• I am halfway through the book "The Tipping Point" The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips and spreads like wildfire. This book has some very practical insights for ministry and life! 
• Did I mention you can never have too much ice cream?
• Something to Chew on; You are off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so... get on your way! ~ Dr. Suess, Oh, the Places you'll go!

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Another twofer day, preached at Common Ground Christian Church, Tampa this morning and attended Faith and Freedom Rally at Kissimmee Christian Church tonight.
• Today marked the 160th church I have preached in since I joined the college in 2011. In case you are wondering there are 205 churches in Florida, so I have preached in 75% of our churches.
• Common Ground must be one of the most diverse congregations in the state. I had a great time preaching today.
• Key thought from today's message; dispensing grace to a hurting world gives us the opportunity to be God-like in a Graceless Culture. 
• Tonight's Faith and Freedom Rally was both inspiring and heartwarming. 
• Nothing stirs the soul like hearing patriotic songs.
• Thank you, Jim and Roland, for sharing your thoughts tonight, we truly are blessed to live in America. 
• Spent the week at the North American Christian Convention in Kansas City, so good to reconnect with friends of faith.
• I was introduced to Ride Sharing this week, what a handy tool for getting around an unfamiliar city!
• Best message of the week was presented at the Senior's Luncheon. A great challenge for all people of faith.
• I will be attending the funeral of a faithful preacher of the gospel this Wednesday, he had such an impact on so many young preachers. 
• I hope we are found faithful!
• Tuesday is the annual hot dog eating contest, how can one man eat so many hot dogs?
• Did you know this is the last month of the year without football!
• The year is half over, how are you doing on the new year's resolutions?
• Something to Chew on; Let us be sure that those who come after will say of us in our time that in our time we did everything that could be done. We finished the race; we kept them free; we kept the faith. ~ Ronald Reagan

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Another two-fer weekend, worshiped at Real Life Christian Church, Clermont, Saturday night and then worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church today.
• Two different churches impacting their communities for Christ in two different ways and Christ was lifted up in both faith communities.
• The message at Real Life; We cannot coast through our Christian life, God wants us to engage our culture!
• The message at Kissimmee Christian, our faith in Christ cannot be what others say about Jesus, it is about what we believe about Jesus. 
• Good worship always stirs the soul, my soul was stirred at both places this weekend.
• So good to be ministered to this week rather than ministering to others, I really needed the break!
• I wonder how many ministers need a break? 
• I wonder how many ministers are running on empty?
• I have never met a church that does not want to grow, but I know many churches that do not want to change. 
• Traveling to the North American Christian Convention this week, hoping to connect with many friends from past ministries. 
• Got a message from a former youth group member today about Kathy's influence in their life. Good Stuff! I was so blessed!
• Every week that passes, gets us closer to the beginning of the college football season.
• Did you see the Florida Gators are in the college world series?
• We have 120+ teens visiting JUFL this week, I am praying for a great week and for our admissions team as they tell the students why JUFL is a great place to continue one's education.
• I miss Oreos dipped in white chocolate, they are only available at Christmas. Life is so unfair!
• Something to Chew on; Thou has made us for thyself, O Lord and our heart is restless until it finds rest in thee. ~ Augustine 

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached at Southside Christian Church, Fort Pierce this morning. 
• Today's message focused on the uniqueness of God's word in shaping lives, churches and culture.
• The transforming power of the word of God is amazing when the Word is read and APPLIED to one's life or situation.
• The church had a wonderful Father's day breakfast - great time of fellowship!
• Connected with an alumnus from 1982 - now that is a long walk down memory lane!
• I hate driving in the rain - today was a real "white knuckle" experience.
• My dad is having a good day today, so good to talk to him on the phone. With his dementia advancing, I am realizing how special are conversations are on a daily basis! 
• I continued to be blessed by so many dear friendships.
• Just when you least expect it, grief has a way of sneaking up on you! 
• Next Sunday I get to return to Kissimmee Christian Church, it will be good to be home!
• I am so proud of my kids!
• Something to Chew on; My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me. ~ Jim Valvano