The President's Circle

Deeply Fried Christians

In recent months I have met many Deeply Fried Christians. Unfortunately, they are everywhere - in businesses, in churches, in not-for-profit institutions, and even in higher educational circles. They stand out in look and “smell” deep fried. They are unhealthy spiritually and many do not even recognize their condition. And what's more, they are very fragile - emotionally, intellectually, and socially. They are leaders and followers. They are searching for deep significance, but have missed the beauty and power of the Spirit-filled life. The Christian vocabulary and activities are there but it is empty and hollow of spiritual richness.  They can be identified by the following characteristics:

1. They are always fussing!  They are upset and unsatisfied about everything and in every category of life. They smile, but are very unhappy. The joy is manufactured by personality or skill. It is not supernatural joy. Something is always wrong. Commendations are never given and that has become the standard.  Gratitude is not on the agenda!  They are always fussing!
2. They are frustrated!  Peace does not reign.  Romans 8:28 is not known.  Maybe God is in control - maybe He is not!  They are in a box with windows but no doors.  They look out but they are stuck and can't get out!  God's plan and will are not known.  They are like the woman in the commercial about a “Life Line” who says, “I have fallen and I can't get up,” with one exception:  They do not know they have fallen and do not feel any need to get up!  They are very frustrated!
3. They are always fretful and fearful!  They live in fear of someone else’s gifts and abilities, never understanding the giftedness God has given them.  They live in a “lake of worry” and swim daily in all the “junk and inhabitants” of that environment. They feel unfulfilled, uncared for, and underappreciated.  Their focus is blurred!
4. They are faithless!  They are unable to trust God for anything. They have adopted Sarah's attitude of giving Hagar to Abraham to fulfill God's promise! The Magnificence of God is missing! His Splendor and Goodness are not in their thinking.  Their trust is placed in their efforts and labor.  Putting others down gives them “rightness.”  They are faithless!
5. They are very forgetful!  Not only have they forgotten the blessings of God over the years, they cannot recognize His grace right now!  They are like the people of Israel during the book of Judges - always failing to remember what Jehovah has provided and promised!  They cannot recall how God has led them through “thick and thin.”  They cannot recall all the answers to prayer! They have forgotten where they have come from and where God has brought them!  Their minds are “cluttered” with the things of this world. They are very forgetful!
6. They are failing!  Real spiritual success has not been theirs. Their goals in life have not been achieved.  They are discouraged and filled with complaining that they deserve more. They fail to inspire others; they only drag them down.  Their friendships are superficial, only designed to “get for themselves” and not to give in order to build up others. They are takers and they are failing!

You can see why these people are Fried and very Fragile! You might even say, “Are these really believers in the Lord Jesus Christ?”  That is a very interesting question.

My writing space is gone, but not the “fire in my belly” to help these people. I want them “set free;” experiencing the newness of life in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!  He is alive and they need to come alive in Him!  Next month comes the “answer” to this growing and crushing dilemma!  I am ready for “Organic Grilled Chicken!” What about you??

Here is What is Happening:

▪ Approximately 50 students participated in the Clearwater dinner cruise sponsored by the Student Government Association.

▪ To date, over $21,000 has been given to sponsor the upcoming 2012 Annual Banquet, His Glory Our Story, on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. It will be an evening of “catching the spirit” of what God is doing at Trinity College of Florida.  Alumni, special guests, students and leaders of our community will be in attendance. It is an evening to launch forward in trusting the Lord for His blessing on His students He is leading to the College. What a privilege! What an honor! Come and sense the difference!  Mr. Edward Wm. Brandt, III, President of E. W. Brandt and Associates in Washington, D.C., will challenge our hearts in participating in the great mission of God’s plan for the students at Trinity. It will be uplifting in spirit and amazingly fulfilling. Dr. Charlie Martin, Vice President for Advancement, extends you a personal invitation to attend. You will be blessed! For tickets and more information click here. 

▪ Did you receive a copy of the latest CONNECTION? E-mail us at bskinner@trinitycollege.edu for your complimentary issue. It will lift your spirits and challenge your heart. See how the Chicago White Sox baseball team relates to Trinity College of Florida! (Pitcher Gavin Floyd’s teammate, Philip Humber, recently pitched a perfect game, the first in the majors since April 21, 2010.)

▪ Trinity College of Florida is one of the sponsors for The JoyFM for the Chick-fil-A 2012 Leadercast. This live simulcast event will be held Friday, May 4, 2012 (9:00am-4:30pm) at Generations Christian Church in Trinity, Florida. Featured speakers include Tim Tebow, Andy Stanley, John Maxwell and many more. This will be a premier event for individuals considering how to improve their leadership skills. Click here for more information and tickets.

▪ The College will be hosting two meetings of the United Way of Pasco County in June, 2012.

▪ Dr. Tom Woodward, Research Professor at Trinity and author of the Mysterious Epigenome: What Lies Beyond DNA, spoke at Dartmouth College on April 26.

▪ Our President had the opportunity of personally engaging Ken Blanchard, Tony Dungy, and Tom Mullins in a recent leadership conference in West Palm Beach, Florida.

▪ The 2012 Commencement Exercises will be held Saturday, May 12, 2012, at 10:00am at the First Baptist Church of New Port Richey. There will be graduates receiving degrees in Counseling, Elementary Education, General Studies, Management & Ethics, Missions, Pastoral Ministry, Worship Ministry, and Youth Ministry.

▪ The Board of Trustees will meet for their spring meeting on campus Friday, May 11, 2012.

▪ Digital pictures of former alumni and Trinity history are on display in the W.T. Watson Administration building across from Epiphanies. Several screens depict Trinity’s rich history along with a separate screen that offers schedules and important information to students. This project was made possible by a President’s Council member and engineered by Mr. Steve Phillips, Director of Dining and Hospitality Services, and Mr. Buddy Paynter, IT Solutions Specialist.

Needs Requiring Your Support in Prayer:

▪ On Campus Housing – all resident students desire to be on campus for community, encouragement, and academic support.

▪ Admissions – for prospective students who will be making last-minute decisions about where they will attend college in the fall.

▪ Faculty Refreshment – the need for refocusing, planning, and studying for the next semester.

▪ Gift Income – for the summer to supply the salaried needs of faculty and staff.

▪ Student Ministry Opportunities – young people serving in churches, overseas ministries, and para-church organizations. Students also need summer jobs.

Remember to pray for 100 new students this fall in the Day and Degree Completion programs.

“The greatest event in history was the coming of Jesus Christ into the world to live and to die for mankind. The next greatest event was the going forth of the Church to embody the life of Christ and to spread the knowledge of His salvation throughout the earth.”

A. W. Tozer

To that truth and reality, we serve!