Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Generations Christian Church in Trinity this weekend. (Near Tarpon Springs) for their Global Missions Weekend.
• The church has an incredible mission ministry emphasis, over $400,000 given annually to missions locally and around the world.
• Amazed by the extent this church goes to reach those far from God.
• They truly are making a difference in reaching their community for Christ.
• I always enjoy spending time with my fellow mission partners. While we represent different missions we all have the same passion for ministry.
• By traveling for the university, I am able to experience some of the many and different ways the local church impacts a community, it is really a blessing to see the diversity of our local churches. 
• I may have found a new favorite worship song this morning; "Who you say I am" from Hillsong United. You can hear it here. 
• Commencement is this Friday at JUFL. Another school year is coming to a close. Another group of kingdom workers is about to depart. 
• I love working in a place that has the potential to make a difference for the Kingdom of God.
• Enjoyed watching a high school perform the play The Hunchback of Notre Dame Friday evening, what a talented group of teens!
• Ran into a long-time friend from Ohio last week with a chance encounter at a local McDonalds. So good to see you, Clyde.
• Something to Chew on; To the Class of 2018 remember, You do not go to the university so you can punch a clock. You go to the university so you can be in a position to make a difference. ~ Janet Napolitano 

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Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached at Southside Christian Church, Fort Pierce this morning. 
• You know you are not in your grandfather's church when Billy Joel's "Keeping the Faith" is part of the pre-worship mix!
• Today's message focused on being people of the second chance by looking at the actions of the father in the parable of the prodigal son.
• If you had a second chance to fix something or to stop something in your life, what would you choose?
• When it comes to God's grace, we have all received second, third, fourth and more chances.
• I also heard a challenging message Saturday evening at First Baptist Church of Orlando on the second coming of Christ. One of the most practical messages on our Lord's return I have heard in a long time.
• Great Quote from the message; We talk about the second coming of Christ and half the world does not know about His first coming ~ David Livingston
• Tonight I had the opportunity to visit with people from 4 different churches that I have been involved with over the years. It is amazing how friendships grow through the ministry.
•  Saw a high school presentation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame this week, what a talented group of kids. Very impressive.
• This is the last week of class lectures at the university final projects are due. I think the library will be extremely busy this week!
• Biscuits and Gravy have to the be the ultimate comfort food!
• Something to Chew on; You can do something other than working with God in His purpose, but it will always be something lesser, and you couldn't come up with something better. ~ Steve Hawthorne

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church this morning.
• Special Treat today, Dr. Mike Chambers brought the message. Excellent!
• Key thought #1; We all talk about living for Christ but seldom talk about dying for Christ. 
• Key thought #2, What could God do through you if we chose to die for Christ?
• Today is my 400th Sunday Night Reflection.
• Here is my first SNR, February 7, 2010, a lot has happened in 8 years. I have expereiced joys and sorrows and yet I can say God has been with me every step of the way.
• A very good friend of mine is remembering the passing of her father today, I hate what death has done to God's creation. However, I am reminded "There will be a day"  I know I have posted this video several times, but it is a constant reminder to me death will not have the final say so!
• It was exciting to see our students sign the names of our alumni on the walls of our New Commons this week. So many good things are happening at JUFL. if you are an alumnus I want to tell you to mark your calendar for November 10th, 2018 for our alumni reunion, yes, we will gather in the New Commons!
• I am rediscovering some old Jimmy Stewart Movies, he truly was an American Treasure.
• Why are taxes so taxing.
• The chocolate bunny is almost history.
• Spring football games took place in Gainesville and Tallahassee Saturday. Oh yeah!
• I am constantly amazed at the Disney production at the theme parks.
• Something to chew on; Christianity if false is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. ~ C.S. Lewis  

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at First Christian Church of Clearwater today.
• Mike's message was spot on, and very applicable to me personally and for the church as a whole. 
• Today's topic, The ability to make Godly decisions, in light of our past, present, and future. 
• Key thought from today's message; the wisest decision may not be the most popular, comfortable or easiest. However, the wisest decision always honors God and His kingdom. 
• When I think how far the university has come in 5 short years, I am amazed at what God has done through His people.
• Driving across the causeway on the way to church building was very peaceful. Every Church should have such a pleasant drive to their building.
• Have you thought about the word Redemption lately?
• I am sure the crowds in our church building were down today compared to last week, but the good news is Jesus is still ALIVE!
• Here is a good verse to meditate on this week; Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5;16
• Who are you praying for today?
• My chocolate bunny is slowly disappearing.
• Is it me, or is it just wrong to play baseball when it is snowing?
• Forty-four years ago today, Hank Arron his 715th home run, breaking Babe Ruth's long-held record.
• Something to Chew on; God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever. ~ Vance Havner

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church this morning. 
• Jim did a wonderful job unpacking Luke 24; the two disciples on the road to Emmaus
• Penetrating question from today's message; what keeps you from recognizing Jesus?
• Still wrapping my mind around a very emotional week. 
• It truly has been a week of great sorrow and great joy.
• So proud of the many recent JUFL alumni who came together to honor and celebrate the life of one of their own. 
• If you have not seen the movie  "I can only imagine" you need to go see it this week! 
• While I enjoy singing today's worship music, it is hard to beat the hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross" I mean read the words slowly from the old hymn, "And I love that old cross where the DEAREST and BEST for a world of LOST SINNERS was SLAIN."
• I have enjoyed reading all the victories of Resurrection Sunday on Facebook today. 
• I miss preaching on Resurrection Sunday.
• Can anyone stop 'Nova?
• Looking forward to the one shining moment Monday evening.
• How do you eat a 2-pound chocolate bunny? One bite at a time!
• I have some good friends celebrating a wedding anniversary this week, they are a great example of a godly marriage, Hey Dave and Linda, Thank you for your example and your friendship.
• Only 5 weeks left in the Spring semester, another academic year is almost over! 
• After a 3 week hiatus, I am back on the road next week.
• Something to Chew on; The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. ~ Matthew 28:5,6

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from a Difficult Day...

• I normally post reflections about the kind of day an or week I have been experiencing and most of the time it is a GOOD week. However, this week my reflection takes on a different theme. Yesterday, my daughter Bethany was involved in an auto accident. She is ok and the accident was not her fault. However, the devastating consequences of the accident reminded me of how fragile is this life.  
• The impatience of the one at fault has been devastating. Families have been impacted, a church family is grieving and lives will be forever altered.
• One of the consequences of living in a fallen world is the fact people are often guided by selfish motives, and they forget their actions can and do make a difference in other people's lives.
• I am also reminded there is nothing greater than the relationships we have with one another, so tonight, why not limit your "screen time" and spend some time nurturing a relationship with someone. 
• The only item God is rescuing from this planet is people, therefore we should value relationships with others more than our "stuff". 
• I am curious, what do people do in a time of crisis when they do not have the blessing of a Christian community, there is nothing like a body of believers to care for one another when crisis invades one's life!
• In times like today, this continues to be one of my favorite songs.   
• Something to Chew on; Look God's dwelling place is now among people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. ~ John the Apostle, from Revelation 21

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at Kissimmee Christian Church this morning.
• Jim preached on a topic I have not heard in a long time - Purity
• What a great reminder, we are called to be holy because He is holy. 
• I wonder if we have forgotten one of the consequences of sin is its ability to enslave us. Thankfully we have the Holy Spirit in our lives. 
• Wrapped up the Book; "When God Answers Prayer" this week. Now on to book 4
• Two favorite quotes from WGAP - Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure, Dwight L. Moody and Prayer does not fit us for greater works, Prayer is the greater work, Oswald Chambers
• Bracket Busted!
• Spring football practice began in Gainesville last Friday, YES!
• 3 day weekends are very enjoyable! I need more of them!
• My middle child turns 30 this week, so proud of the man he has become. How can he be 30? Happy Birthday Jonathan!
• Celebrated my 7th year at JUFL this week and the journey continues!
• I know parts of the country is still experiencing Winter, but I have to admit the weather here is wonderful! Living and Loving the Florida Life!
• Just realized most of my college classmates are turning 60 this year. WOW!
• Something to Chew on; One does not surrender a life in an instant, that which is lifelong can only be surrendered in a lifetime ~ Elisabeth Elliot