Let God Be Glorified Through the Sale of Our Building!

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Monday, December 27, 2010 10:15 AM

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I have some very good news: We have been told by Gibbs International, Inc. that they are going to buy our downtown property! Our lawyer, Matt Henderson, has looked over the closing papers and everything is in good order. We are now set to close on the sale of the property on January 4, 2011.

In getting to this point the people of Calvary Church have had but one desire: Let God get the honor and glory for accomplishing His purposes in and through His church. We never wanted to manipulate the sale of our present location nor the move to our future location. It has been our heartfelt passion that we would not be able to explain this through our own effort; we wanted people to know this is the unmistakable plan that God has for His church. I believe God has great and wonderful plans for the future of Calvary Baptist Church!

The work has just begun! From what I've been told by other pastors I should be thankful that there is not a crystal ball showing all that will need to be worked out in the next 12 months. I look back at the date when all of this got started, August 2, 2007, and my mind is blown away by how quickly the time has gone. We are now simply 12 months from moving into a new building and beginning to experience the future God has for us. I am excited and scared at the same time.

I know the time will go by so fast that we will hardly have time to breathe. I am also aware that this is a time when many decisions will need to be made and the potential landmines for strife and division are many. Each of us must decide now that we are only making decisions about brick and mortar, and that doesn't amount to much more than a hill of beans. How we treat one another in making these decisions is what is important. In the process of building a structure I believe God could use this to continue building the unique unity of Calvary.

So, let's build for the glory of God alone and serve one another through love as we do this together. God is handing us a wonderful opportunity, let's not let it slip by.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Presents vs Presence

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Monday, December 13, 2010 11:27 AM

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What will alter the way we think about Christmas? What will change our mindset from "presents" to "presence."

I don't think it's too far of a stretch to believe that we get it--that we get it's not about getting, it's about giving. The older I get the more I come to appreciate and live this out. When Barb and I became parents it was a wonderful experience to wake up on Christmas morning and watch each of our kids open their presents. (I am so thankful for video cameras!)

But I think we need to take this a step further. I believe we need to fully examine Scripture and let the Holy Spirit teach us lessons about Christmas that will strip away the lessons we've learned from the empire of cultural consumerism. Think about this: What if we began cutting back on presents in order to spend more time with each other? The danger of modern Christmas shopping is getting caught up in the mood of buying stuff we can't afford. I didn't say we couldn't buy it--plastic money makes it possible to buy almost anything--we just have to pay for it latter. And just how do we pay for something later we couldn't afford in the first place? Businesses call it overtime. We buy things we don't need at prices we can't afford to satisfy a longing that is only fleeting. And come January, when we get the invoice in the mail, we discover that we have to work extra hours to make ends meet. The extra hours we work cheats our family out of the time we should be spending with them. Nobody really wins.

The biblical record of God's gift was the gift of Himself. He didn't give something that would rust, fade or go out of style; no, God gave us His eternal Son whose birth would change the world forever! I believe Christmas can still change lives. I also believe we go about celebrating Christmas wrong. I realize accomplishing this is difficult and that is why I propose we go about it slowly, but intentionally. Start small this year and let it grow as the years pass.

I wish all of you reading this a Merry Christmas. My hope and prayer is that you find peace and contentment through the gift God gave.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Getting Caught Up in the Story of Christmas!

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Wednesday, December 08, 2010 11:17 AM

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I have a sneaking suspicion that we all love a happy ending. Most, if not all, the stories of Christmas have the ending we expect. Hallmark seems to have the corner on this market; they know how to spin a Christmas story in such a way to make us glad the lights are turned off so the rest of the family can't see the tears in our eyes...it touches us in all the right places. Hallmark has eight new Christmas movies for 2010:

  • The Night Before, The Night Before Christmas
  • The Town Christmas Forgot
  • Call Me Mrs. Miracle
  • November Christmas
  • Farewell, Mr. Kringle
  • An Old-Fashioned Christmas
  • The Santa Incident
  • Three Wise Women
The other night we watched November Christmas, and let me say you ought to watch it!

The story line of Christ's birth recorded in God's Word has all the elements to bring tears to our eyes. The problem is that we have become so familiar with it that it no longer touches us. It is the birth of the King of kings that leads to the tragedy of the cross that leads to the triumphant and glorious resurrection that eventually leads to His return to set things right in the world. Ultimately the true Christmas story has a happy ending for believers and we should celebrate this, especially this time of year.

To sincerely celebrate the birth of Jesus we must get caught up in the story; we must lose ourselves in the plot of God as He unfolds it through Scripture and in our lives. Take Jesus' birth personally because that is the way it is intended. Jesus came personally to put on display the glories of His Father. Part of this display is believers. We read in Ephesians 1:4-6,

In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace.

The purpose of our adoption into God's family is to "the praise of his glorious grace." This is, at least in part, the happy ending for which we are looking. It is the ending that should bring tears to our eyes because the Hero (Jesus) has triumphed over what was killing us (sin and Satan). Here is the reason we can joyfully sing His praises this Christmas.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Resisting the Empire!

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Tuesday, November 30, 2010 9:28 AM

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Did Jesus come to advance the kingdoms of the world or the Kingdom of Heaven? His countrymen fully expected Him (at least their idea of "Him") to come and advance the cause of their kingdom. The Jewish people longed for a deliverer who would come and release them from the bondage of the kingdom of the day. It had been a long time since the nation of Israel was on top of the world, respected by other empires, and feared by their enemies. But when Jesus showed up on the scene as the Messiah He didn't fit their deliverer model, so they rejected Him. This was all prophesied by Isaiah:

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3)

Is it any different in the world today? Our culture rapes the birth of our Savior by slapping a nativity scene in their stores and then advertising their latest product at an overinflated price that we don't need in the first place. This is what they call the "Christmas spirit"! And don't get me started on the office parties that turn into drunken orgies. I would implore people to take the name of our Christ off their celebrations and just call it their "Late December Office Party."

The rejection of Jesus Christ the King takes a different, more subtle form in the Church. We reject the way Jesus resisted the empire of His day by accepting and bowing down to the empires of our day. No, I'm not talking about politics, although we could make a case for that because it seems to me that more and more Christians put their hope in human government instead of the future Kingdom of Heaven. As believers we fail to resist the empire of the consumer culture at Christmas. We buy into the phenomenon that bigger is better and he who dies with the most toys wins. We follow the rest of our comrades to the malls and spend more time shopping than we do with each other.

We have been called by God to be different and therefore our difference must make it into Christmas. God's gift was presence, not presents! We must model His way of giving this year and strike back against the empire of consumerism. Spend less, give more, give of ourselves, and worship more fully! (Check out www.adventconspiracy.org)

Grace & Peace,
Scott

A Tearful Thanksgiving

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Tuesday, November 16, 2010 10:35 AM

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Every week in my pastoral ministry I encounter people who are going through a "severe trial." The trial they face comes with many faces and with differing severity. Some who read this have faced seeing a loved one go to the hospital, some are waiting for death to overtake someone close to them, some have had to make a visit to the funeral home to make arrangements, some have had to deal with very difficult family issues, some have lost jobs (or are at least facing that possibility), some are struggling financially, some are wresting with emotional issues such as loneliness, depression, anger, bitterness, etc., and the list of trials goes on.

I was planning to preach a series of messages on the names of God, but the Holy Spirit has been directing me to change course and work on a series that helps us wrestle with the trials we all face. Not a single disciple reading this is exempt from facing a severe trial of faith, and I want to encourage, challenge, and inspire all of us as we face these difficult times. For now I want us to consider just two things:

Trials attack faith. What is being attacked in the trial is our trust in God. James is very specific; he wrote that when we are tested it is a testing of our faith (James 1:3). This is encouraging because faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9) and it is the one thing with which we can please God (Hebrews 11:6).

Be thankful in trials. This is the most difficult thing to do. Being thankful, especially in a severe trial is almost impossible. Paul wrote to the Thessalonian believers that they should be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). This is something which which I would encourage all of us to wrestle. It certainly will not be easy, but it is necessary. The thanksgiving we give to God in times of severe testing is a tearful thanksgiving.

Stay tuned. I hope and pray you all will have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Why don't you join us for a worship service of giving thanks on Tuesday, November 23 at 6:30 p.m.?

Grace & Peace,
Scott

"Thanks!"

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Tuesday, November 09, 2010 9:32 AM

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And a wonderful Homecoming was had by all! Yes, it was a memorable day. A huge "Thank You" to the Church Hostess Committee and all who helped put this day together...the ones who planned, those who decorated, you who picked up the chicken, the crew who set up and tore down, those who patiently waited in the gym all morning, you know who you are and we all sincerely appreciate your labor of love. I hesitate to list names for two reasons: (1) I will probably forget someone and (2) I realize you don't do what you do to be seen or recognized.

Homecoming is one of those events that just doesn't plan itself; it takes work to put together a special day like that. Whenever we are given an opportunity to serve like this and we spend hours and days putting it all together I think the reward manifests itself in two ways: First, durning the event it is a thrill to see people enjoying themselves. This tells us it was worth the effort and expense. Second, when we put something together that honors God there is a satisfaction deep in our souls. We come to realize that God is a great God and the sacrifices to make Him known in daily living are sacrifices gladly made.

We do not have a final count on the shoeboxes that will be shipped off to the mission field, but our current total is 124! If you are still planning to fill some boxes, now is the time. We have about a week left to get all our boxes to North Spartanburg. Don't hesitate to send just one box to a child who has nothing. The box you send may be the only gift a child will get the entire year. My prayer is that the love of God will touch many who receive these shoeboxes.

Buckle up because things are about to get busy! With what?

  • Sunday night, November 21: Tammy Gilbert will be sharing about her mission trip to Honduras.
  • Tuesday night, November 23: Calvary Church Thanksgiving Praise Service.
  • Sunday morning, November 28: Lottie Moon Post Office opens.
  • Sunday night, November 28: Hanging of the Christmas Green.
  • Sunday night, December 12: Choir Christmas Musical, "Glory in the Highest."
  • Sunday night, December 19: An Evening of Christmas Music @ Calvary.
  • Friday night, December 24: Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service.
I hope you will be able to make it out to all of these special nights. I am praying that God will use this time of year to draw our hearts into closer symphony with His.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Magnify the LORD with Me!

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Monday, November 01, 2010 11:27 AM

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Homecoming for Calvary Baptist Church is here again! The Family Life Center floor is being scrubbed and waxed as I write this, the Homecoming Committee has put together all the plans for a wonderful day, decorations are planned, tables are being hauled out and set up, sign in pages are being printed, name tags are ready to slap on your chest, and delicious food is being cooked. What more could we ask for? The answer to that is very simple: YOU! We want you to come and be a part of this annual celebration of fellowship.

We will also have our tentative future building plans on display in the Family Life Center. We are excited about what God has accomplished in the past--the many who have come to know and follow Jesus, the weddings that have brought two into a covenant of sharing their lives, the babies who have been brought by parents to dedicate their lives to raising them for the honor and glory of God, the countless lives that have been changed through the changeless message of God's amazing grace, and so much more. We are also anticipating a future that God still has for His wonderful church. We look forward to more people being saved, more brides walking down the isle, many more babies being given their first Bible on their dedication day, and thousands of more people who will find their way back to the Father through the message of His amazing grace.

It is one of our desires at Calvary to lift high the name of our majestic God. We want to spread the fame of His name everywhere we go and in all that we do. God has been so good to us that we cannot help but praise Him. God is so great that we cannot help but stand in awe of His majesty. Our first and foremost value in life is to glorify this great and awesome God. We will never cease to praise Him and thank Him for giving us the opportunity to sing His praises.

Please come and be a part of this wonderful annual celebration of fellowship. Add your voice to those who are thanking God for a past that gives us a future to which we look forward. See what God is doing at Calvary and taste His goodness.

"My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
Let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt his name together" (Psalm 34:2-3).

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Welcome Michael & Mattie!

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Monday, October 25, 2010 11:16 AM

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I want to take this opportunity to welcome two new "little additions" to our Calvary Family: Michael James Thomas (born September 14, parents: Amber & Zach) and Mattie Rae Bayliff (born October 19, parents: Megan & Matthew)! Congratulations, I love you and am so proud of you. This is awesome news for everyone and I am hoping you will do your part in helping these parents train, love and nurture these precious babies. God has greatly gifted them with healthy children. I know it took a great effort to bring them into the world, but now their work really begins...

Parents have one opportunity to raise their children, and we all know children don't train themselves. I greatly admire young couples, like these two, who are willing, by God's design and grace to bring children into this world. We live in difficult times, but God is greater than the age in which we live. We have before us two, innocent, beautiful, sweet babies. Right now their lives consist of sleeping, eating, crying, "dirtying" their diapers, being carried, and keeping their parents up at night. But, they will grow and they will learn. The weight of responsibility for training them is upon the backs of their parents; they are accountable to God for the direction of their children. Just as it is a heavy burden it is also an inexplicable joy! To both I say, "Enjoy your babies...they are your heritage from Almighty God. He has entrusted you with a wonderful gift!"

As a church what do we do? The one thing we must do well as the days, weeks and years pass is to pray. Don't take for granted the power of a praying church for its children. If you can't sleep one night take it as a hint from the Holy Spirit to pray for Mattie and Michael (Megan and Amber probably aren't sleeping either!). Think of all the children at Calvary, write their names on a card, and pray throughout the day for each of them. Pray for their salvation, pray for their safety and health, and pray for mom and dad. Pray without ceasing. Don't give up praying. And on their wedding day you can go up to them and say, "I've been praying for you since the day you were born, and I'm going to keep praying."

BTW...ask Angie and Len what their big news is!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

What Do We Do Now?

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11:05 AM

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Calvary is in a holding pattern. We must keep circling until we hear definitively that our buyer really wants to buy. This is something we have prayed about and for which we have labored. We began the process three years ago:

  • August 7, 2007: Began investigating two possibilities...renovation and relocation.
  • June 1, 2008: Voted to relocate.
  • August 3, 2008: Appointed the Land Search Ministry Team.
  • June 7, 2009: Purchased the property on the corner of Parris Bridge Road and Flatwood Road.
  • December 6, 2009: Appointed the Master Site Planning Ministry Team.
  • January 10, 2010: Listed our downtown property with Spencer-Hines.
  • January 10, 2010: Appointed the Phase 1 Planning Ministry Team.
  • Early 2010: Began a stewardship campaign to raise $20,000 for the building fund; to date we have raised a little over $28,000.
  • September 19, 2010: Accepted an offer on our downtown property.
We are now waiting on the buyer to finish up his "due diligence" (which will be done by November 20, 2010). The Phase 1 Planning Ministry Team has completed their work and is waiting to present their final recommendation to the congregation. Is there anything we can do? Do we just twiddle our thumbs, cross our fingers, and hope the sale goes through? No, we pray (and some fasting-praying as well), we plan out the details on the first phase of our new building, we reach others, we teach the Word, we follow Jesus, etc. In other words, we don't quit on what God has called us to do, we just keep doing it. Let's not be held hostage.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Getting Lost in the Shuffle

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Wednesday, October 13, 2010 10:28 AM

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Good things get lost in the shuffle. I've heard of kids being left behind because something or somebody arrested the attention of mom and dad. What caught their attention was not necessarily bad, it just got them sidetracked for a moment. That scenario doesn't happen often, but other examples of neglecting something because of distractions do. You know how busy like can get sometimes. Things that must get done keep getting added to our daily schedule and pretty soon something gets forgotten--something gets lost in the shuffle. But what is really, really, really important usually doesn't get overlooked (like eating, sleeping, Monday Night Football, etc.). So, what is most important goes to the top of our list. I want to challenge all of us to ask the question, "Where is giving on that list?"

I know that may be an odd question, and believe me writing about giving is kind of difficult for me because I don't want people to think of my pastoral ministry in terms of money. But I am not just talking about money. Giving is about everything in our discipleship: honoring God, serving others, packing shoe boxes for needy children, swinging a hammer in Blythewood, SC, picking up communion cups after the Lord's Supper (Who does that?), changing diapers in the nursery (Who wants to do that?), visiting a shut-in, the list is endless.

Giving must be a top priority for us because our whole life is about giving in one way or another. I don't think we wait to give. We don't compare our giving with what others are giving. Giving flows out of the biblical principle of stewardship. Stewardship sees God as the Creator and Owner of everything.

The earth is the LORD's and the fulness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. (Psalm 24:1-2)

When we speak about our things, we are talking out of ignorance, and these words relfect the values of the world. Everything we own will be left behind. Everything we have has been given on loan from God.

...What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? (1 Corinthians 4:7)

Because of this we ask God what and how He wants us to give. Where is giving on your list of "Things to Do"? Don't let giving get lost in the shuffle.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Mice on the Wheel

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Tuesday, October 05, 2010 2:11 PM

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As the weather turns cooler the projects of fall loom big on the horizon. You know, thatching the lawn, raking leaves, gathering in the last of the produce from the garden, winterizing the boat, raking leaves again, shining up the shotgun, planting spring bulbs, cleaning the gutters, getting out the sweaters (this item is exciting for husbands because it means a whole new wardrobe without going to the mall), and raking the leaves once again.

Let's see, did I forget something...oh, yeah, I certainly did. What about all those projects at church? You know what I'm talking about...making sure the boiler is going to work this year, getting the gym set up and decorated for Homecoming, planning out the events for advent, ordering the gift baskets for the shut-ins, beginning rehearsal for the choir Christmas musical, and so much more!

As you can tell there is much to do and little time in which to get it all done. I am confident that come July 1, 2017 it will all be done and forgotten. So, it causes me to pause and ponder, "Is it all really worth it?" Does all our labor count for anything? Or are we like mice running on the proverbial wheel getting a lot of exercise, but really going nowhere? I think the answer to those questions and ones similar to them depend on our motivation--WHY am I doing what I'm doing? We can get super busy about events and we can expend great energy in getting things done, but if we are doing all this for the wrong reasons then it all amounts to dust and ashes (Paul called them wood, hay and straw [1 Corinthians 3:10-15]).

However, if we are expending energy to glorify God through worship that is God-exalting, discipleship that is cross-centered, fellowship that is grace-focused, and outreach that is world-impacting then I believe our work is what God intends it to be. So, as we go about our busy schedule keep in mind that nothing done for the glory of God is worthless, but efforts done for our own exaltation has no more substance than a soap bubble. And put in your heart what Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers:

...Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain! (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Unity or Unanimity?

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Tuesday, September 21, 2010 1:53 PM

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As I sit in my office on this Sunday afternoon I'm thinking about the vote we took this morning to sell. The vote was 87% in favor of selling, so it wasn't unanimous. I am trying to think through what this means. So here goes...

Does this mean that we are not unified? Absolutely not! Just because we don't agree on everything doesn't mean that we are not unified. Our unity is not based on geography; our unity is based on theology. Our purpose as a church is to glorify God, reach the unsaved, and disciple the believers. This purpose doesn't change when we relocate. The glory of God is not localized. We are not locked into accomplishing God's will in a particular place.

Unity is not unanimity! "Unanimity" is defined as "the quality or state of being unanimous" (www.merriam-webster.com/netdict/unanimity), whereas "unity" is defined as "a condition of harmony: accord" (www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unity). It is actually rare that a body of believers (or any group of people for that matter) will be in 100% agreement on anything. And I don't believe it is essential that we are unanimous on non-essentials. It is necessary that we find ourselves in a state of unity on the essentials of our faith.

Paul wrote the following to the Philippian believers:

Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind (Philippians 2:2).

As a pastor it is my desire to share in Paul's joy by experiencing this same type of unity in the church. I would describe it as a church that is focused on the same purpose of making the glory of God the target at which we aim using the arrows of worship that is God-exalting, discipleship that is cross-centered, fellowship that is grace-focused, and outreach that is world-impacting. Calvary Baptist Church...YOU ARE MY JOY!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

It's a Tough Way to Get a New Car!

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Monday, September 20, 2010 10:39 PM

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On a Tuesday morning (9-7) Abby, our youngest, was on her way to get her braces off. This was going to be a good day! She was pumped. She spent the last two years and two months with these things in her mouth. She had to have her senior pictures postponed because the alternative was just unacceptable. Then something unexpected happened in a split second...she hit a delivery van.

The accident was about a mile from the house so I was able to get their fairly quickly. She was doing fantastic! When I looked at the car I couldn't believe she wasn't hurt. In fact, nobody was hurt. The guy in the delivery van didn't even realize he had been hit until he looked in his mirror.

Here's something else that is amazing...the traffic on Highway 9 or Boiling Springs Road is horrific unless you drive it at 3 a.m. This happened around 9:30 a.m. and hundreds of cars passed her by without a though of this young girl standing alone outside of her totaled car. So many went "rubber necking" by and didn't offer to help. She doesn't look like she's from the hood, but still no help. But two people did come to her rescue. One adult man in a pickup pulled up behind her to protect her. As I was walking from the parking lot to her another young man (a teenager) made a u-turn to help. I didn't get either of their names, but I am thankful these two stopped to make sure my daughter would be safe. I have prayed that the Lord would bless their lives for their act of kindness.

I guess I'm just trying to express how grateful I am that my baby girl didn't get hurt. I've always said that things don't matter, people do. This was a fresh reminder of that.

Looking for a Car,
Scott

"I'm Going to Church!"

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Tuesday, September 14, 2010 10:48 AM

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When I hear people say, "I can worship God without going to church" I think to myself, "Yeah, and you can probably breathe without air." It just doesn't make sense that a disciple of Jesus Christ would consistently miss getting together with other disciples to worship, share and learn. The early Christians never imagined there would be a time when it was more popular for believers to stay home than to gather in honor and worship of God.

The writer of Hebrews saw this habit of not "attending" the Christian gatherings (i.e., going to church) slipping into the lives of believers:

Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:25).

It would be helpful to understand the backdrop of this verse. During this time, those hostile to followers of Christ were hounding the believers. The people of the "Way" were in opposition to accepted religious practices and they were gaining ground in people's lives. They were seen as dissenters and were perceived of as spreading division. The result of this perception was persecution. Later in the same chapter the writer wrote:

You had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plunderings of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one (v. 34).

This is guilt by association. Christians were being dragged off to prison for their faith and others in the church would visit them. While visiting, their homes were broken into and their possessions stolen ("plundered property"). These disciples would not just accept the robbery, but accept it with joy. Yes, that does sound like they were a chapter short of a complete novel, but they saw their identification with the Church as a "better possession" than the things they had collected. But some in the church were finding this too costly so they began to "miss church." They were neglecting the meetings because they didn't want to pay the price of being robbed while at church.

This sort of thing is not happening to us today (at least not in America). We are not the persecuted church, and yet some are constantly looking for excuses to stay away from church. We must have a deep-seated conviction that being a part of a church means that we are going to gather together with the Christian family. Having our name on a church roll has very little to do with our relationship to a church, but our presence has very much to do with it. Take this as my "encouragement" to go to church.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

The Church Is Who We Are!

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Tuesday, September 07, 2010 3:26 PM

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We are on the edge of making yet another historic decision as a church. On Sunday morning, September 19, 2010 we will vote to sell or not to sell the buildings and land we now occupy. I have a tough time wording this because I refuse to say we are voting to sell the church. Yes, it would be easier to write that, but it just isn't true, at least not in my understanding of the New Testament's teaching on the church.

The church has nothing to do with buildings or land, but it has everything to do with the people. The Old Testament does teach about a meeting place for the people of God. While the Israelites were wandering in the desert, God instructed them to build something that could be taken down and moved (i.e., the Tabernacle). Once they reached the land of promise God lead them to build a permanent structure (i.e., the Temple). Both the Tabernacle and Temple symbolized God's presence with His people.

This symbolic presence ended with the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ. God came to live with humanity. But the world's reception of the Son of God was less than accepting. In fact, at the end of His time on the earth He had 11 trained apostles and 120 disciples (Acts 1:15). In human terms this would be considered a failure, but we know differently.

Before Jesus' ascension to heaven He promised the presence of the Holy Spirit who would indwell His followers (true believers) in a new way. His presence would no longer be located in a place, it would now be found in His people. It is interesting that the New Testament writers considered the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). All believers are now priests to God (1 Peter 2:9). Every Christian can go to the throne of grace with confidence because of the blood of Christ (Hebrews 4:16).

By default some of the first century Christians would continue to meet in the local Temple, but most just met in homes for practical reasons. Generous believers opened their homes to these small band of believers all over Asia. Most of the letters written in the New Testament we meant to be passed along from one congregation to another. In this way all the church would receive the proper grounding on spiritual issues.

The early church didn't have buildings to pay for or budgets to consider or insurance to buy. However, this is where we are today. I just want to stress that our devotion should not be to buildings whether they are old or new, our devotion must be to people. As we come to vote in a week let's all keep in mind this vision of the New Testament church. When I think in terms like this I am encouraged. I get excited to think of God's Church in terms of God's presence through His people. Church is not where we go, it is who we are!

Don't Neglect Such a Great Salvation!

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Wednesday, September 01, 2010 9:48 AM

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This week we will be worshiping God the Father by remembering the sacrifice of His Son. The Lord's Supper is always an important time of worship for the church. It has also become a time to which I look forward. As a pastor-teacher I love opening the Word and discovering what the Bible teaches about our Savior. In theology we call this "Christology." I especially enjoy the study of the cross and how it molds, changes and centers our lives as disciples.

In my studies on the Lord's Supper I have come to understand it as a sacred meal. It is sacred because of the meaning behind it. No other meal we eat has such a rich history behind it. I don't approach my morning oatmeal in the same way I come to the Lord's Table. It is also sacred because of Who ultimately prepares it for us. When somebody diligently prepares our favorite meal it has a special meaning to us. You know what I mean...you can't wait to get to the table because of what awaits you. The Lord's Table is so much more! It causes us to go well beyond our stomachs to our souls. It touches not our physical appetite but our spiritual one. It satisfies pains that are celestial not earthly.

The passage of Scripture I have chosen to examine this week is found in Hebrews. We will be proverbially "skipping the rock" through chapter 2 as I will be pointing out some of the highlights that pertain to the question the writer poses in verse 3:

How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

I want to encourage you to read through Hebrews 2 several times over this weekend in preparation for our Sunday worship. Try to set a grasp of why it is so important for us not to neglect such a great salvation. Ask questions like: "What am I escaping?" "How could I neglect my salvation?" "Why does he call it a great salvation?" You may come up with some other questions that touch your walk with Christ, just don't be afraid to ask and investigate.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Pray Without Ceasing!

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Monday, August 23, 2010 3:56 PM

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As a church we have much to consider over the next several weeks. We must think soberly over an offer that has been made to us for our present meeting site. Is this the best offer? Can we move out in the time frame proposed to us? Should we try to find a temporary location to meet? Is the timing right?

We must think critically through the building the Phase One Planning Ministry Team is going to present to the church on Sunday night, September 19. Are enough classrooms proposed for the near future? Is the auditorium too big or too small? And two issues every young mother is concerned about: (1) What is the nursery facility like? (2) How nice are the bathroom?

Above all, this is a time of prayer. I beg of you to be earnest in your prayers. This is a time for some to fast while praying. For all it is a time of constant, stretched-to-the-limits praying. We must seek the kind of wisdom that only God can, and will, provide at a time such as this. A verse the Lord keeps reminding me of and directs my prayers is Proverbs 3:5-6,

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

We all have our opinions but the only one that counts is the Lord's opinion. If His will prevails then we cannot fail; if our will prevails then we are destined to fail! We must not just grab the bull by the horns; instead we must enter the throne room of the holy of holies through the blood of the slaughtered Lamb. He will give us the answers for which we are looking if we only seek His face. And let's don't grow weary in our praying, because we have a Father who never tires of hearing from us!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

We Are in This Thing Together

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Wednesday, August 18, 2010 5:23 PM

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Recently while visiting a shut-in she said to me, "I never want to be alone." My response to this sweet follower of Jesus was, "God never intended for us to go through life alone." This is part of what the church must be--a family. God has called us to community. "Community" means "a unified body of individuals" (Merriam-Webster). In other words, we are in this thing together. For me this involves at least the following marks (taken from Philippians 2);

Unity. We are united in Christ therefore we are one in purpose.

Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind (v. 2).

This doesn't mean for us to be mindless robots, but I believe it means for us to be unified in the goal of honoring God through His church. God has put us together not to tear each other apart but to build one another up.

Humility. No single person is more important than the whole. Mavericks like to go about their business without any notion of having to think about how their actions will affect others. Humility kills the spirit of mavericks because we see the value of others through the eyes of God.

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves (v. 3).

Deference. Deferring to others is not a sign of weakness. When we defer to somebody else's plans or desires it communicates a loving acceptance that should be commonplace in the church. It should never be "My way or the highway"; it must always be "God's way"!

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others (v. 4).

Looking out for number one is a terrible philosophy on two fronts: First, it is selfish. And second, what makes me think I'm number one?

Following Christ's Pattern. I'm so thankful God didn't leave us without instructions on how to live (i.e., the Bible), but I'm equally thankful He sent Jesus as an example of how to live in this world.

Have this mind among yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus (v. 5).

We must actually follow Jesus, not just talk about it!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Focus

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Monday, August 09, 2010 12:12 PM

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So many "things" distract us and cause us to lose focus. I believe Paul was constantly trying to get churches back on track because they had gotten sidetracked by distractions. He certainly clarified those distractions and put them in their proper place, but I also believe he tried to re-focus the church. We find sound advice on this when he wrote to the disciples in Philippi:

...One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14).

From this passage we learn that there are things that may seem important to us at the moment, but they really don't deserve the attention we are giving them. These are distractions. It could be sideline issues such as planning a vacation, the weather, wondering if "so-and-so" likes us, past failures and/or successes, job stress, etc. All of these are important but never as important as the main focus (i.e., "the prize of the upward call"). These distracting issues may even have a place in the plan, but they are still not the main thing. We must learn to put things in their proper perspective and focus on the "upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

We also learn from this passage that God has a main focus for our lives that pleases Him. This is what we shoot for. We only have one life to live for God's honor, and I believe we must start where we are and begin today "straining" toward that goal.

At Calvary it is going to be super easy for us to get sidetracked on issues that will take our attention and energies away from straining to reach the goal of pleasing God. I completely understand that part of who we are as a church is being defined by selling our present campus, designing a phase one worship center, and relocating to the corner of Parris Bridge and Flatwood. But if this becomes our main focus and we allow it to completely define us then we will fail. How? We will fail because once we get relocated then we have nothing left for which to strain. We will have reached our goal: relocation; but tragically we will not have reached God's goal: discipleship. Let me explain...

I believe the "upward call of God" for us as a church is to bring Him glory and honor by making disciples as Jesus commissioned us in Matthew 28:18-20. I would much rather have us walking the halls talking about what we discussed in Sunday school or what we learned in worship than how "deep and wide" the new building should be. Just remember:

"If our focus is buildings then people get used; if our focus is on people then buildings get used!" (Les Ollila)

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Faithful Wounds

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Wednesday, August 04, 2010 9:52 AM

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Wounding someone is devastating but at times very necessary. Now I'm not writing this to advocate we go out and shoot someone in the leg or run him or her over with our bicycle. No, that's not the kind of wounding I'm talking about. I'm talking about wounding people with honest rebuke or correction. You know, telling them the truth even though the truth may wound them for a time. Too many people are walking around thinking everything is ok simply because we don't want to wound them with honesty. It's like watching somebody make the bed while the house is on fire. We see people making a mess of their lives knowing we could help them with a word of warning, but we are willing to keep our mouth shut because we are afraid of either hurting their feelings or running them off as a friend. But the stakes are too high!

Solomon wrote,

Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
Profuse are the kisses of an enemy. (Proverbs 27:5)

This takes risk on our part. We have to be willing to risk a friendship for the sake of helping someone take another step spiritually. It's not only risky but also painful...I've been on both the giving and receiving ends of rebuke and correction. But I've also realized the great joy that can come when I respond correctly or when someone I am trying to help responds correctly.

And always remember the words of Paul,

...Restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Ben's First Sermon!

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Tuesday, August 03, 2010 10:01 PM

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"The Overwhelming God!" (Ben Linnerud) from Scott Linnerud on Vimeo.

Remembering You

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Monday, July 12, 2010 2:15 PM

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As I sit in my office on Monday I am thinking about you and a passage from God's Word comes to mind,

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:3-5)

Three key words jump out at me:

Remember: Inherent in the word "remember" is the fact that other people become the object of our thinking. This means that we are not so self absorbed that others have no place in our every day musings. When our minds are occupied with so many thoughts about ourselves there is little room left for thoughts of others. This is a tragedy because we owe so much of our success to someone else's influence on our lives.

Joy: What emotion comes to your mind when you think of others is very important. I wouldn't waste my time thinking about people who stirred up anger, resentment, bitterness or jealousy. If those thoughts invade your spirit then confess your frustration to God and move on by eliminating those people out of your memory bank. God created relationships in part to bring joy, nor sorrow, into our lives. This is how I feel when I think about Calvary Church. You are a delight to me and I thank God that I feel joy when you come to mind.

Partnership: Finally there is the enterprise of partnership. God didn't intend for us to go through life alone. We need other people. The New Testament teaching on the church is clear that it is not a one-man show. The church is compared to a body with many parts, and each part plays a vital role (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:14-20). Paul uses the term "indispensible" when writing about the need for one another in the body.

When I opened your 4th anniversary gift on Sunday I was overwhelmed--overwhelmed by your generosity, overwhelmed by your love, overwhelmed by God's grace in allowing me to be your pastor, overwhelmed by your friendship. I know you love me; I know you love my family; I just want you to know that I love you.

I have been saving for a guitar and now I can go to the store. You have provided what I needed to get the job done. Thank you so much for being an instrument in God's hand to bless me.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Pray for America

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Tuesday, July 06, 2010 3:16 PM

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I'm thinking about our country in a special way this week because it is the fourth of July. It is not just a time for a good picnic followed by watching fireworks. No, it is much more than that. It is a time for celebrating the birth of a great and wonderful nation. It is also a time to reflect on the state of our country and ask, "What can I do for America?" Many things come to mind, but only one thing really sticks out that all of us can and should do--pray! In fact, the great Apostle Paul wrote as much to Timothy,

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Communication is so important and has rapidly changed over the decades. What once took days can now be done in seconds. Let me explain, when you lived a county away from a boyfriend or girlfriend and you wanted to express to them your feelings, yes you could pick up the telephone, but what if they were out of town and not near a telephone? You would need to write a "love letter" and tell them that their absence has caused an epic shift in your existence, and that you couldn't bear the pain of this eternal separation, and that you counted the seconds until your happy reunion. Now all you have to do is pick up your cell phone and text them" musm...tuamualu...h&k...143! Instantly they got your meaning!

Well, prayer is something like that only much better! First of all, it is better because you are talking to an eternal God who cares so much more than anyone else. And second, there are no dropped calls with the Almighty. He always hears and He always answers.

This is what I want us to do this July 4th. We all realize that the ones in positions of authority are out of our reach. We will probably never be called on to give advice to any person in high authority. So what do we do? Reach out to God in prayer. Pray specifically that our leaders would create conditions that advance the gospel ("that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life"). Pray confidently because God is sovereign and He can reach them like no other. And pray thankfully because we still enjoy freedom.

The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. (Proverbs 21:1)

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Get Caught Up in the Story Line of the Bible

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Thursday, June 24, 2010 5:46 PM

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We need to get caught up in the story line of the Bible! Too often the programs and the parties of the church trump the truth. We become more concerned about the machinery than biblical history. Churches have a tendency to follow the next fad of popular Christianity that is driven by budgets, buildings and numbers. What has happened is that we measure the success of the church by a standard of programming instead of disciple making (cf. the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8).

The story line of the Bible is the theme we discover as we read the Scriptures. At times it is a tragic story of disobedience. This is the human element of doubt, distrust and denial. We find this when the characters of the Bible manipulated the plan of God for their own ends. Examples of this are Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden; Moses striking the rock instead of speaking to the rock because of anger; Daniel's adultery, attempted trickery, and eventual murder of Uriah; Judas' betrayal; the Pharisees' plot to kill Jesus; Thomas doubting the resurrection; etc. This part of the story line (failure) teaches us the frailty and need of humanity. The powerful lesson of failure is: We cannot do this without God's grace.

At other times the story line of the Bible is a beautiful story of obedience. It is about God's grace enabling men and women to accomplish great things. Examples of this are Abraham and Isaac; Joseph in Egypt; Ruth's faithfulness; the disciples following Jesus; Stephen being killed for his faith; and the stories go on. The powerful lesson of obedience is: God uses common people to accomplish His will.

All of this is ultimately for the purpose of the glory of God. God's plan is the He would receive all the honor for stepping into a seemingly impossible situation. This is the story line of the Bible...let's get caught up in it!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

How Do We Best Honor Dads on Father's Day?

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Thursday, June 17, 2010 4:02 PM

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This week we honor fathers. And just what is the best way we can accomplish this task? How can we honor our fathers best, not only on June 20th, but every other day of the year as well? Perhaps John expressed it best when writing to the disciple, Gaius.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John 4)

Let me first challenge dads, and then I will return to children...

The greatest, best and most lasting legacy we can leave our children is not land or a large bank account, but a desire to know God by walking in the truth. Contemporary society puts pressure on dads to secure their children's future by providing for them financially. This is all well and good but it falls short of what God desires us men to do for our kids. We can't control the stock market or interest rates on CDs. This leaves us short in the end if that is all we are leaving our kids. But what lasts for eternity, what really counts in the long run, and what really outstrips economics is the truth in Jesus (cf. Ephesians 4:20-21). This is how we can fulfill the admonition Paul gives to "bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).

As children the best way we can honor dad is to continue walking in the truth they taught us. I believe all of us Christian dads will agree that nothing brings a smile to our faces and a deep sense of satisfaction more than knowing that our kids are honoring God by walking consistently in truth.

Happy Father's Day,
Scott

P.S. Keep Tammy Gilbert in your prayers this week as she serves the Lord in Honduras. She will return on June 27.

Pray for the Salkehatchie & Honduras Mission Teams

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Sunday, June 13, 2010 3:18 PM

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This week marks the beginning of two mission trips Calvary Church people are taking. By the time you read this, our students will be in Blythewood, SC. During this week long mission trip (June 12-19) they will be helping needy families with rebuilding and repairing their homes. This is the third summer they have taken a week our of their busy schedules to minister through Salkehatchie Summer Service, and each time they have been profoundly touched by God through ministering. The second mission trip is being taken by Tammy Gilbert. Tammy will be going to Honduras June 20-27 with a medical mission team. This team has been going to Honduras for six years now and this marks Tammy's second trip. Whenever I think of missionaries (short and long term) I am reminded of what Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2"

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil me. For not all have faith.

This passage teaches us to pray for two things for our students and Tammy as they go. First, pray for the success of the Word. Pray that as they share God's Word with people that the Holy Spirit would use it and that it would quickly invade their hearts. Pray that people would trust in the Savior as a result of their Christ-like efforts.

Second, pray for the safety of the messengers. Dangers are everywhere and we need to keep our missionaries' safety before God's graceful throne. Pray while they are on the road or in the air; pray while they carry a hammer or a syringe; pray as they travel to their work site or satellite clinic; pray for them in the morning, in the afternoon, when you go to bed, and whenever the Spirit prompts you. Pray! Pray!! Pray!!! Praying is what we can do, while going is what they are doing.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Common Grace in MLB!

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Thursday, June 03, 2010 10:58 PM

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Everyone is weighing in on the obviously bad call made by MLB umpire Jim Joyce on Wednesday night (6-2-10). His call cost a young pitcher, Armando Galarraga, from the Detroit Tigers a place in history. Here's my bit of insight...

I think the call should stand, yea, it must stand. Being human is part of the game, and a bad call is simply a bad call. Yes, I do believe Galarraga deserves a perfect game and he deserves to go down in history as the man who pitched the 21st perfect game in MLB history. But to reverse the call because we can replay them on a monitor rapes the purity of the game. I detest replays in any sport.

Also, if we had instant replay in baseball then we would have totally missed what these two men showed us over the last couple of days. I loved Galarraga's immediate response, he smiled. That's class. He never became angry...he just stepped up to the mound and pitched the ball one more time. That was awesome.

Jim Joyce apologized as soon as he was given the opportunity. He displayed humility for all of us to see. He took the blame and all the heat. He didn't run, didn't make any excuses, he just manned up to his error!

What I have witnessed from these two men is common grace. This is what the world needs to see, especially in the juiced-up, entitlement-ridden professional sports world. Maybe even our softball church leagues should take notice!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Our Marriage By the Numbers!

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Tuesday, June 01, 2010 5:56 PM

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This week (June 3) Barb and I celebrate our wedding anniversary. I remember the Saturday evening we gathered at the little church in Pound, Wisconsin to rehearse the wedding. I remember taking a walk around the neighborhood with my sister, Julie, to talk about marriage. I remember getting up the next morning and going to church with my brother, Jack. I remember being excited as we drove up to the church that afternoon for the wedding. I remember all our friends and family who came. I remember hearing later that summer that a date of a friend accepted Christ as a result of the wedding. I remember being nervous. I remember cutting the cake and not returning to the reception because of all the pictures we had yet to take. I remember leaving for the honeymoon and stopping at a burger joint because we were starved (remember, we missed the reception). And...well, that's as far as I am going to share remembering with you!

Here is our marriage by the numbers...

We have owned 27 cars and been married for 26 years! We've lived in 14 different dorm rooms, trailers, apartments and houses. We have served in 6 churches in 4 states. God has blessed us with 4 children. In all of this I have only had 1 wife! She is the woman God blessed my life with...there have been no others, and I would never shop around for another! Barb is the first, and only, girl I ever said, "I love you" to in a romantic way. She is my best friend and knows me better than anyone else, and she still loves and accepts me.

I constantly thank God for Barb. She is truly the best thing I have going for me personally. I love her with all my heart and want to spend the next 26 years learning more about her--Ancora Imparo! One of our prayers and desires is to show our kids and the church that a good marriage is possible, but a great marriage takes hard work! I still enjoy thinking about marriage the way Jesus did in Mark 10:6-9--One woman for one man for one lifetime! It's not a fairytale, but please don't wake Barb!

I Love You, Barb,
Scott

Congratulations Class of 2010!

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Thursday, May 27, 2010 4:42 PM

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The end of the school year is in sight for our students! This is a great week of celebration as they end another year and look to begin something new and exciting. At Calvary Church we congratulate four of our own: Matthew Bayliff, Alejandra Molina, Matthew Banks and Shelbi Elder.

Matthew Bayliff graduated from West Virginia University with a Master’s Degree in Athletic Coaching Education. He is also enrolled in the PGA of America’s Professional Golf Management Program. Alejandra Molina graduated from the University of South Carolina (Upstate) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Keep her in your prayers as she will soon be taking the state board exams to become a registered nurse. Matthew Banks graduated from Spartanburg Methodist College. He will be attending Upstate this fall to finish his four-year degree in Physical Education. Shelbi Elder graduated Friday (May 28) from Boiling Springs High School. She plans on attending Spartanburg Community College majoring in Radiology.

Hey, with these four students we’ve got our recreation and health issues covered! Each one of them needs our prayers and support. Becoming successful in life doesn’t happen by accident—it is intentional. They are doing their part and we must do ours. Put their names on your prayer list and pray diligently for God to bless and direct them.

Congratulations Matthew, Alejandra, Matthew and Shelbi. We love you and are proud of you!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

The Ordination of Greg Mickey

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Tuesday, May 18, 2010 3:21 PM

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This week we will gather together on Sunday morning at Calvary Baptist Church to ordain Greg Mickey to the ministry of the gospel. This will be one of the most special services the Mickeys ever attended. Many have sensed the call of God on his life and he has shown evidence of this call through his conversion and giftedness. Greg has been examined by a group of his peers, they have found him competent to enter the gospel ministry, and now they are recommending to Calvary that we proceed. We as a church will do the actual ordination.

The front line ministry of the local church is never to be entered into lightly. Vocational ministry is not just another job option, no it is a specific call from God.

Preacher Crocker and I will challenge Greg this Sunday, but time will not allow us to share everything. So, I want to take this opportunity to challenge you with a personal responsibility of prayer with regard to Greg and the gospel ministry. Paul wrote,

"And [pray] also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel" (Ephesians 6:19).

The first thing we can pray about for Greg is clarity in his preaching. It seems that everything but the Word is being preached from our pulpits these days. Too much time is spent on looking up jokes and illustrations that the truth of the passage is being neglected. Our ideas are not important, it is God's Word and His ideas that must prevail.

The second thing we can pray about for Greg is courage in his preaching. Boldness in proclaiming is important because preachers can fall into the temptation to please the audience of many and forget the audience of ONE! Paul reminded Timothy,

"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions" (2 Timothy 4:3).

I hope you will join us this Sunday. This is the beginning of ministry for Greg and Beth (and don't forget about Meredith and Hannah!). Share in this exciting day and support them with your prayers.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Following a Murdered Hero

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Wednesday, May 12, 2010 11:06 AM

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In John Milton's epic poem, "Paradise Lost" he wrote, "Heavenly love shall outdo hellish hate."

I think we all like heroes. You know the type...mild-mannered newspaper reporter Clark Kent who runs into the nearest phone booth to become Superman when help is needed. (Can you imagine him trying to find a phone booth today?) Heroes and heroines are always endowed with some type of superhuman power(s), and when they come to rescue they use those powers to "save the day." If you were a super-hero what sort of power(s) would you want?

Now imagine that it was up to you to save the entire human race...what would be your plan and what would be your power? From eternity past God set out to do exactly that--save the lost, struggling and dying human race. God's plan to save us was shocking, something nobody would ever think of, He would send His Son. No x-ray vision, no invisible jet, and no fancy cape. He would come clothed in human flesh (Philippians 2:7) armed with love. Those around Him expected something powerfully spectacular (1 Corinthians 1:22), but to their surprise He came in humility. Paul calls this God's wisdom and power--the cross. This is why Paul wrote,

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18)

God's power to save through the cross was no expected, but it was the only way to rescue us. Too many want a savior who is like Superman or Wonder Woman, and when we don't get what we expect we become disillusioned and disappointed. In the end some walk away from Him because it seems so silly to follow a murdered hero. But this is precisely what God wants us to do; He wants us to follow His Son, a most unlikely hero.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Honor Mom in a Meaningful Way

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Tuesday, May 04, 2010 11:12 AM

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This week is Mother's Day...it is a time to honor our moms. We should do this with great enthusiasm! Is there a way we can honor moms this year that really magnifies the role of biblical motherhood? Is there something special we can do that would tell her that she is "something special"? We usually jump to the conclusion that giving her an elaborate gift somehow honors her best. Is gift giving the best way to honor Mom? I'm not against giving Mom something that she can hold, something that communicates "I love you and thanks for being my Mom." I'm not advocating being a "cheapskate" when it comes to the one who went through the pains of death to bring me into the world, but I do believe a couple of inherent problems exist in just running down to WalMart on Saturday night to get something for Mom on Mother's Day.

First, opening our wallet is an easy way out. It is the path of least resistance relationally. I think it's fairly painless to buy some flowers or a box of candy or a bottle of perfume. (Come on, does she really need crocuses, calories and cologne?) Relationships take time, not gifts.

Second, things don't last. Eventually everything wears out...flowers die, candy gets eaten (usually by everyone except Mom), and the "good smelly stuff" fades. When your mom looks around her place what does she have that reminds her of your love and appreciation? That is possibly the best way to measure the value of a Mother's Day gift.

The point I am trying to make is that what moms need more than things is us! She didn't bring us into this world to get more "stuff." Moms are so self-giving; they are the ones who make this world a stable place. I think we should give ourselves this Mother's Day. This is not the easy way out and it is something that will last with our moms. When they look around their place they will remember the time we spent with them, the phone calls we made, and the cards with personal poems we wrote or the pictures we colored.

Sacrifice this Mother's Day to express how much you love and appreciate your mom.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Effective Prayer

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Monday, April 26, 2010 3:22 PM

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I am writing this on Monday afternoon from my office. Tomorrow morning I will get on a plane and head to Florida to visit with Mom and Dad for a few days. By the time you read this (unless of course you are reading this blog) I will be on a different plane headed back to Spartanburg. What can I say to you but "Thank you." You are the most wonderful people to pastor and I love you so much. You have done a wonderful thing by allowing me some time with my parents. No, I will not be suffering unless Mom has some "outside" projects for me to do while I am there. Otherwise I will be sitting by the pool reading or running in the old neighborhood I used to terrorize. I am quite sure that many of those neighbors in Brandon, Florida never imagined that the "Linnerud Kids" would end up loving God with their whole hearts, but we did. This brings back a memory I want to share with you this week.

My brother, Jack, and I ended up at the same sixth grade campus in Riverview, Florida. We both spent our respective year there, and by the good hand of God's providence we had the same teacher only a year apart from each other. Now I couldn't tell you the name of all the teachers I had over the years, but I could never forget this one (and that was 37 years ago!). Her name was Mrs. Deangelo. Neither of us boys would know of the spiritual impact this woman would have on our lives until we were in Bible College many years later. Let me explain...

While Jack and I were home for Christmas break in 1981 we went to the mall one afternoon. As were were walking through one of the stores we both recognized this sixth grade teacher and she recognized us. If I remember correctly she asked us what we were up to and we said that we were in Bible College. That may not shock you now, but you didn't know us in 1973, and she did. Just let me say that we were not believers then and we were not her best-behaved students. What she did tell us that day is that she was a Christian and prayed for her students almost every day!

God answered her prayers years later by moving in the hearts of two young men. In time both Jack and I trusted Christ and followed His sovereign plan for our lives.

The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power! (James 5:16)

For whom are you praying? Have you given up? Please don't quit, because you never know when or how God will answer.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

God Is Most Valuable to Me

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Tuesday, April 20, 2010 11:16 AM

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I think one of the reasons we have some difficulty talking or teaching or preaching about money is because we have a skewed perspective. What I mean is that we are not looking at it from the right point of view nor with the right end in mind. That main thing I want us to focus on when it comes to money is how we honor God with it. Paul wrote,

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

In other words, magnifying God must be the priority in all that we do, and that definitely includes our money. Money can become a touchy subject because we wrongly see all we can get from it...power and control, and we don't want to give those up very easily. I think this is wrong because after all, money is just money, and it really can't accomplish very much on its own. It is also wrong because it shows that we value money more than God. I like what the "wise guy" in Proverbs wrote:

Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce (3:9).

Solomon is teaching that the way we show that God is more valuable to us than wealth is by giving to Him off the top, not the bottom. We honor God with our paycheck when we look at the entire amount and give to Him first. I believe that by giving to God before buying even the necessities of life shows that my appetites don't run my life, but God does, and then I am going to trust Him to take care of the "necessities."

But Solomon doesn't end with just an encouragement to show the worth of God by giving to Him first, he follows with a precious promise:

Then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine (3:10).

This is not a promise to make us rich, or to give us a Cadillac. I don't believe that just because we give to God first that we will live in a nice house or retire on the beach someday. That type of theology is self-defeating. The promise is that God will continue to meet the needs we have in life. And when we find that our "barns are full" or our "vats are bursting" then we will have all the more reason to be generous to those in need.

Grace & Peace,
Scott
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