Vacation is about over. It has been an incredible time of renewing the bonds of love with family and friends. I don't realize how much I miss people until I get to sit at their kitchen table in the morning and share a cup of coffee while we catch up on each other's lives. These are times for us that Barb and I will not soon forget...they are truly "cherished memories."
We have seen much over the last week and a half. We have driven through the heartland of America and been simply amazed at all the corn! I could literally close my eyes while driving through Illinois or Iowa, open them ten minutes later and not have missed a thing. The sameness of the landscape almost put me to sleep which is kinda dangerous when you're the one driving. But something came to mind as I looked at those miles of cornfields--the strength of our country. The mid-west is the breadbasket of our country and without this agricultural powerhouse we would be doomed. Those cornfields represent to me hardworking USA. It reminds me of farmers who get up while the sun is still below the horizon because they have "work" to do. It reminds me of the struggles we all have in life, but by God's amazing grace we will make it through one day at a time. And it reminds me of being responsible enough not to quit.
This vacation has been a wonderful time for us. We are ready to come home and get back to "normal" life. I want to thank Calvary for allowing us this time away. You have provided us with time away that has been necessary for us. We have seen and experienced first hand God's amazing grace. We look forward to getting back with you in worship, fellowship and service. I believe God has a year in store for us that will surprise and amaze us.
Grace & Peace,
Scott
Something grabbed my attention in Sunday school this week. It is something that Moses said in a begging manner that was fulfilled in the “cleft of the rock” experience. Moses cried out to God in Exodus 33:28,
Show me your glory!
That really just sort of says it all for us. The glory of the Lord was the sign that God was with the Israelites; without the glory they were on their own. Moses’ cry for the visible presence of the Lord was a cry to know the Lord was with them. He just could imagine going on without know God was going to be there as well.
Let me bring this to bear on today. Imagine us doing something, anything, without the Lord’s presence. This could include getting married, raising kids, choosing a job, buying a car, retiring, moving, or, yes, relocating a church. If we undertake anything without the Lord going with us then we forfeit more than His peace and assurance; we forfeit probably the greatest thing ever, His glory…His presence. And then we are on our own.
Shout out with me to the Lord, “Show us your glory!” One of my prayers is that we will experience the blessing of God in our lives through the glory of the Lord. John Piper was right when he said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.”
I look forward to sharing in the sacred meal with you this Sunday morning. Come prepared to drink and eat to your full satisfaction of what God has done through His Son Jesus.
Grace & Peace, Scott
I am the pastor of the most amazing church! Certainly things have changed over the last three years, but one thing has remained constant: Calvary Baptist Church is the most loving and grace-filled churches God ever created! I love the fact that this has not changed because it is what makes a difference in people’s lives. God’s grace is powerful and available. It is undeserved, yet free, but not cheap. God’s grace is what encourages us to get up on those days that seem to have more problems than answers. It is what will change the world in the future and what transforms us today. God’s grace is simply amazing.
But what has been the biggest change at Calvary in the last year?
We have purchased a piece of property on the corner of Parris Bridge Road and Flatwood Road. This location will enable us to glorify God through reaching new families with His incredible grace. It is our future. In 50 more years the family members of Calvary Church will talk about the decisions we’ve made today. It is nothing short of phenomenal to think about what God has in store for the future. What we are doing today has eternal consequences. We are choosing to spend the money God has provided for us today so that it will have an impact in people’s lives that will last for eternity. We are choosing today to send our riches on ahead and not keep them here with us today hoarding them for ourselves. This follows what Jesus said,
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 ESV)
This is the most important activity we can be involved in with the money God has graciously given us. I believe we are on the edge of seeing God move in wonderful ways. God not only asks for obedience, He expects it! If we refuse obedience then we forfeit His blessing, and we don’t want to give up the blessing of God.
Grace & Peace, Scott
Last night somebody made a valiant effort to break into the church. They must have been here for a while because three windows were broken. The one over Matthew's desk (see the picture) took the greatest hit, and I think this is where they actually tried to get into the building. We found some finger prints but that is about all the evidence. The police arrived within minutes after Amanda (Calvary's Ministry Assistant [aka "Church Secretary"]) called. They were fantastic and we even got a motorcycle cop (made my day). No, I didn't stage this for all the drama, but there is a point here...
I just finished reading Randy Alcorn's book, "The Treasure Principle," and this break-in happens. After I had time to process this I thought about what Jesus said,
"Don't lay up for yourselves treasures where thieves break in and steal!"
Pretty awesome right! This event has been a visual reinforcement about my treasures and my heart. The treasures of Calvary are many, and because we are relocating we've begun to talk about taking an inventory of what we have. The purpose of this is to determine what we are going to take with us and what we are going to leave behind. (Yeah, you know where I'm going with this.) What we really want to take with us is not things, its people. What we truly value at this church is not the furniture and pictures, but the souls who come through the doors. The only thing that is truly worth anything where the thieves tried to break in and steal are the youth who meet in that area. Those are the treasures of Calvary Church and so that is where our heart is.
Matthew, I'm sorry for the mess, but we will do our best to get it cleaned up. I am thankful nobody was here to get hurt. Yes, we feel violated, but we are also thankful to our sovereign God for the modern-day lesson about the treasure principle!
Hitting the Alarm & Locking the Doors, Scott
Vacation is about over. It has been an incredible time of renewing the bonds of love with family and friends. I don't realize how much I miss people until I get to sit at their kitchen table in the morning and share a cup of coffee while we catch up on each other's lives. These are times for us that Barb and I will not soon forget...they are truly "cherished memories."
