Christmas Is the Path of Glory

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Tuesday, December 13, 2011 9:47 AM

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A couple weeks ago our son, Ben, sang This Is War written by Dustin Kensrue. This song rings a bell not heard very often at Christmas, but its message is so true that it needs to be heard over and over again.

This is war like you ain't seen.
This winter's long, it's cold and mean.
With hangdog hears we stood condemned,
But the tide turns now at Bethlehem.

This is war and born tonight,
The Word as flesh, the Lord of Light,
The Son of God, the low-born king;
Who demons fear, of whom angels sing.

This is war on sin and death,
The dark will take its final breath.
It shakes the earth, confounds all plans;
The mystery of God as man.

We readily sing songs that bring us joy and happiness, songs that celebrate the coming of the King, and this is right that we do. But we must remember that the occasion of the birth of Jesus that causes us much celebration is also one that caused Him much pain. His birth was the result of difficult choices. God the Father made the difficult choice of sending His Son. Jesus the Son made the difficult choice of leaving the glorious majesty of His Father to be born a human. The immortal God took on mortal flesh. He became like one of us!

Jesus spoke of His death as the hour He would be glorified, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (John 12:23). And just a few verses later He stated that He came for the very purpose of His death so He could glorify His Father (“But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name” [vv. 27-28]). The cross was the path for His own glory and the glory of His Father.

So even though it was a path of great pain, ultimately it lead to unadulterated joy as Jesus returned to the Father, and so He will forever be enthroned!

Jesus’ difficult choice leads me to the conclusion that our lives are going to be full of difficult, but necessary, choices. The path of our King will be the road we will travel as well. So as we celebrate Christmas this year let’s certainly celebrate, but let’s also not forget what lies ahead.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

What's Up?

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Thursday, December 08, 2011 9:41 AM

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"Hey, what's up?"

When people ask me that question I usually answer it literally: Jesus, helicopters and clouds! But as I was thinking of that question today, my mind went immediately to the state of Calvary Church: our spirits, attendance and offerings! It’s pretty cool to see what has been happening in the last couple of months. Allow me a few lines to share a little more detail…

The spirit of Calvary is up because God is changing and molding us daily into the image of His Son. Always keep in mind that the goal of our lives is to honor God and the best way we can to that is to be more like His Son. We are ever learning what this means and how this looks, and we should never think that we’ve arrived. When we fall into the trap of believing we’ve mastered the art of glorifying God and knowing Him perfectly then we become stagnant. You know what a stagnant pool of water smells like? Well, when the warmer weather rolls around just go dig a hole in your backyard and fill it with water and then a few weeks later stick your nose down there and take in a big whiff! Yeah, it stinks…I think you get the point. Just keep allowing God to make changes in you!

We’ve seen numerical growth in the last two months as well. We thought this might happen as we neared the move-in date to our new building. Excitement is catchy and its, uh, mmm, well EXCITING! I love walking into the auditorium and seeing a new face! (Yeah, I like seeing all your “old” mugs just as well!) This is what’s really neat about a smaller church – you know when someone new is there and you also know when someone who is supposed to be there isn’t. Calvary Church is a family and a key word for us should be “TOGETHER.”

As much as I am not a number oriented pastor, I still know what’s going on. I don’t stick me head in the sand and say with Doris Day, “Whatever will be, will be.” I pretty much know the giving and attendance trends. What I’ve seen lately is that our average weekly giving to the budget is higher than the last two years. As near as I can tell we began trending upward in October. So far this year we’ve raised about $28,000 toward the new building (this includes the “Building Fund” and “A Thanksgiving Offering”). I want to challenge you as we come to the end of another year to give like you’ve never given. No, we are not in a crisis; and I am not in a panic. I just know that this is the time of year people are looking for a good and ethical place to give and I ask, “Why not Calvary?” I would like to see us raise another $10,000 toward “A Thanksgiving Offering” to help pay for the chairs, security system, phone system, signs, stage, etc. Pray with your family and ask God what He wants you to give. I have confidence that you will obey God’s leading!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

A Biblical Christmas

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Monday, November 28, 2011 4:26 PM

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Shopping lists, parties, parades, groceries, stocking stuffers, trips to the mall, Christmas cookies, caroling, TV specials, and on and on the Christmas list of "things I've got to do" goes. But what is missing in all of this is Jesus. How many times have we come to the end of the Christmas season and said, "Next year is going to be different. Next year I'm not going to focus so much attention on stuff and getting stuffed, but I'm going to really, really celebrate Christmas as a time of focusing on the birth of Jesus"? Well, this is the reminder to make this year the year that we do exactly that! Before we get caught up in the nonsense of commercial Christmas let's get caught up in the real sense of a biblical Christmas. How do we do that? Glad you asked...here's what I'm thinking -

First, get a Scriptural focus. We begin where the story begins - in the Bible. Everyday make it a habit of getting into the Bible and rediscovering the authentic Christmas story. Read the prophets in the Old Testament to get their perspective on the Messiah promised from God to Israel who would deliver them not from the oppression of a government but from the oppression of their own sin. Meditate on passages such as Isaiah 7 and 9, Micah 5:2, Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53.

Next, let the joy of the birth of Jesus capture your attention. Imagine yourself a shepherd on the night the angel announced the good news of great joy. Allow your voice to sing praise to the majesty and glory of God for the gift of His presence in the person of His Son. Let your mind dwell on Luke 2.

But don't leave Jesus as a baby. It is essential that we get caught up in the whole storyline of the Savior. Our redemption wasn't accomplished in a feed trough in Bethlehem; it was done on a cross outside the city of Jerusalem. Read the gospel accounts of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Remember, and store in your heart, that He did this to reveal the Father to us.

Don't raise our generation of kids thinking that Christmas is about them and what "stuff" they get. Raise them to know the meaning of Christmas is the gospel of redemption for the glory of God!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

You Refreshed My Soul!

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Monday, November 21, 2011 11:38 AM

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There are times in our life when we need help. You know what I mean...times when it feels like we've been crossing a desert and we need a refreshing drink of clean, cold water. The problem is that we know what we need, but we can't get it on our own; we need someone else to give us that drink - we need someone to refresh us. Honestly this has been my life lately. With everything going on with the new building, messages to get ready, people to see, decision to be made, family to pay attention to, and life to live, I've simply needed someone to come along and refresh my soul. My family does a great job of this on a daily basis. Barb tells me how much she loves and appreciates me, and my children send me texts and Facebook posts. But sometimes you need a little more...you need to know from other people that you're doing a good job. And this is exactly what took place Sunday morning when a group of men came forward at the end of the service and each of them said a meaningful, heartfelt word of encouragement to me. Each of those embraces and words spoken in my ear reached their intended target. I walked away not just thinking that we are going to get through this relocation, but that I'm going to stick around and cast a vision for this congregation and teach this congregation until they can't stand me hanging around anymore!

Now before you go and think that I've gone all narcissistic on you and I need to be mollycoddled, I want you to remember that even the great apostle Paul needed encouragement and refreshing from time-t0-time. When he wrote to the Corinthian believers he made the following statement,

I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus...for they refreshed my spirit... (1 Corinthians 16:17-18).

Now I realize Paul was under a great deal more pressure than myself or most contemporary preachers, but I believe the application is available for today.

During this Thanksgiving week I want the congregation of Calvary Church to know that you are the best flock to under-shepherd. I love being your pastor and count it an honor to be a part of each of your lives. Thank you for coming back week after week.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

The Bible...Never Leave Home without It!

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Thursday, November 17, 2011 9:20 AM

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"The best Bible to use is the one you use a lot" (Peter Williams - member of the ESV translation oversight committee).

At times I am amazed at the way believers treat God's Word. I'm not talking about mistreating it physically by throwing it around; I'm talking about how God's children treat it on an emotional, intellectual and spiritual level. My concern doesn't stem from how we handle the Bible with our hands but how we handle it in our hearts. When Paul wrote Timothy about his ministry he didn't fail to mention the importance God's Word played:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16(.

According to this we cannot - we must not - treat the Bible with contempt because it is a product of Almighty God. The word translated "breathed out" is Paul's catchword for the divine inspiration of every text of Scripture. Just how inspiration works is not spelled out in this passage and so we must turn to 2 Peter to get a clearer understanding of the process.

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21).

Simply put, God, through the Holy Spirit, providentially moved in the lives of 40 men over a period of 1,500 years to write 66 books to contain what He wanted them to write to reveal His glorious gospel to humanity. Each human author had his own personality and style of writing; God did not erase that, He used it. Since Scripture is a product of God, when we disrespect the Word we disrespect Him. When we neglect God's instruction, we neglect Him. It's like a parent who gives their child instruction and direction and then that child ignores it and goes their own way thinking they know better.

If Calvary Church is gospel centered then we must be centered on where God revealed this wonderful truth. We must get into the habit of always having His Word with us. Every car, backpack, diaper bag or lunch box must contain a copy of God's Word; we never know when we will need it. I encourage all of us to make it a point never to walk into a worship service without a copy of God's Word in our hands; never go to a prayer meeting without taking along your Bible. Never leave home without it!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Priorities

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Monday, October 24, 2011 11:07 AM

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Sometimes we get our eyes off the goal; something else grabs our attention; we get distracted. Whenever this happens the results can be tragic. Take for example rescuing someone who is drowning: you are taught to never take your eyes off the victim; if a person goes under you are supposed to keep an eye on where you last saw them. A lifeguard who takes their eyes off the target could cause someone to lose their life.

In the church we too must have only one goal - one target. This goal must always and ever be the first priority of the church. If we lose focus then the results will be tragic. Let me remind all of us what the target of Calvary Baptist Church is:

The church exists for only one purpose: to spread the fame of God. It must be our desire to accurately reflect our Heavenly Father to everyone with whom we come into contact. No matter what the circumstance, we should want everyone to walk away with the right impression of our God.

If people have the right idea about God, then they will have the right idea about us. We are a people who love others because God first loved us; we serve others because God serves us; we care about the needs of others because God has always been faithful to care for our needs.

In making God big and us small, I believe that we will be on the right path to hitting the target of making God the center of everything in our lives. We just can't get over how great and good God is!

I have come to learn that not everyone will be happy with the choice we make in flooring, but that is not the focus of the church. My goal cannot be, must not be, to make everyone happy with the new building. My goal must be to shepherd you to keep your focus on the majesty and glory of God. Flooring is way down the list of priorities; God's glory is at the top of the list.

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

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Breast Cancer Awareness Sunday

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Tuesday, October 18, 2011 3:07 PM

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This week at Calvary we are observing breast cancer awareness. I have some thoughts on this...

Breast cancer is very curable if detected early. I would encourage all of the ladies reading this to call your doctor in the next few days to see if you need a mammogram. I have been told by more than a few people that I make them nervous when I start using "doctor talk" so I will spare you the pain and my family the embarrassment. But I do think it is just common sense to want to live as long as you can to have more opportunity to honor God and serve others. Early detection of breast cancer that can be treated is part of a good plan to accomplish that.

Cherish those who've survived this disease and remember well those who've died. Just because someone you know is over their surgeries and treatment doesn't mean they are over the trauma of their cancer. I've always tried to tell you, "Hug them while you have them." This week talk, call, text, Facebook, and write those who you know have gone through the dark portal of breast cancer. Let them know you are thankful God has willed that they are still alive; let them know how much you love and need them. One of the ways to remember someone who died due to breast cancer is to donate to breast cancer research. Check out www.komen.org for further information.

Finally I want to share something deeply personal to our family. Our Mom, Adella Walsingham, is a three-time breast cancer survivor. To her family and friends she is better than Superwoman and her invisible jet! She is a living testimony that you don't have to curl up in a ball and quit; with God's amazing grace and loving people surrounding you, you can get through anything. Talk to her, she is a phenomenal woman!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Being Thankful

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Wednesday, October 12, 2011 11:50 AM

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Entitlements kill gratitude. We think, because we exist other people exist for us (they owe us something). Can you see the tangled knot that type of thinking creates? If everybody fell into this trap then who will be doing anything for anybody...the government? One of the tragic results of an entitlement mentality is a severe lack of thankfulness. I'm afraid that we've become a society of ingrates.

We must not take people for granted! Easily said (or typed) but hard to practice. Do we know how much we need one another? This is a two-edged sword for a Christ-follower because we do live to serve one another, but we don't live just to have others serve us.

Hundreds of kindnesses are shown to us everyday and if we don't stop and say a simple, "Thank you" I believe a little part of the pipeline of God's grace gets plugged. Let me try to explain...

The Bible teaches about two general categories of grace operating in the world: uncommon grace and common grace. Uncommon grace is the grace of salvation. It's God's amazing grace that does something to change a person's life forever. This type of grace is secured by God's love through the cross. The gospel is what rescues us from the clutches of Satan; it delivers us front he punishment that our sin deserves. Uncommon grace is uncommon in part because not everyone experiences this grace.

The other type of grace is common grace; it is what touches the entire world every day. This is why it rains on the sinner's crops as well as the saint's. This is why the sun rises every morning and sets every night on the whole world. This grace God shares with the entire world in thousands of ways every day.

Because believers have been dramatically changed by uncommon grace we become conduits of God's common grace. Everybody in the world can show kindness (and by and large they do), but I believe it is those who've been uncommonly grace-touched who have a greater responsibility to be more grace oriented than the rest. No Christian can make it rain, but we can express kindness to those around us. We have an obligation to let God's grace flow through us to others. We can pause and say "Thank you"; we can help a young mother with three preschoolers in tow load her groceries into her minivan; we can take one afternoon a week to visit a shut in.

This is just a reminder to us all to make sure we spill out God's grace to the world. Let's not use being tired or busy as an excuse to miss grace pouring opportunities.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Pride & Presumption

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Monday, October 10, 2011 3:19 PM

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"Are we being presumptuous by building a new building?" That question is one that I wrestled with three years ago and settled in my heart and mind back then. If I had not done this then I would have been a failure as a pastor-shepherd in leading Calvary Church to relocate, and it would be a little too late to just begin trying to answer it now.

The idea of presumption is one of assuming something will happen that in fact might or might not come to pass. For us as a church, relocating without first praying for the Lord's leadership, being considerate of the entire congregation, thinking through the cost, and believing in growth would be assuming many things that may or may not happen. Presumption is pride, and those who presume cannot afford to fail. While I certainly don't want to fail, I do believe we can fail in certain practical areas and it still won't destroy the work that God is doing. Read this carefully, I don't believe God will fail, but because we are human, working with other humans, we will fail and others will fail along the way.

Presumption also acts first and asks for God's blessing after. (You know the old saying, "It is easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.") This is a very dangerous philosophy to follow when it comes to God's church; sometimes He just allows us to fall flat on our faces. I would argue that this is what will happen if what we are doing is motivated by pride. Remember what James teaches us, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).

While I certainly don't know, nor can I predict, what will happen in the future of Calvary Baptist Church, I do believe that because we are seeking to honor God's majesty and help His children, that He will bless us immeasurably. As your pastor I rest securely on the following words from James,

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit." - yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that (James 4:13-16, emphasis added).

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Bridal Wars

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Wednesday, September 28, 2011 9:45 AM

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Sometimes being critical is necessary, but at other times it is simply self-serving. The Bible certainly encourages discernment, critical analysis and, at times, judgment. Finding the balance between when to judge and when not to judge has never been easy. If we scour the Scriptures we will find passages that warn us not to judge and yet we will also discover passages that command it.

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you (Matthew 7:1-2).

Do not judge by appearance, but judge with right judgment (John 7:24).

So, should we just throw up our hands, stick our head in the sand, and sit in a circle singing praise choruses? I don't think a response like that is al all pleasing to the Lord. If we don't attempt to strike a balance for which the Word of God calls then we will do great damage to the glory of God, the Gospel and the church. And so, at the risk of sounding overly simplistic and maybe even naive I believe if we follow two principles they will will greatly help us in striking the balance between judgment and non-judgment for which the Bible calls. (I am greatly indebted to a book I recently read written by D. A. Carson for guiding my thinking in this area [The Cross and Christian Ministry, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI 1993].)

First, we shouldn't judge when our motivation is to protect our "turf" and exalt our group above others. Competition abounds in the church today. It's as if we are having "bridal wars" where the bride is being ripped apart just before the ceremony takes place. Just think of what we are presenting to Christ just before we walk down the isle - not a very pretty sight.

On the other hand, we should judge and exercise good discernment when someone is treating the Gospel cavalierly. Any person or body of people who would treat God and His Word in an unholy, careless manner through words or actions deserves judgment. Unholy living and practice call for biblical confrontation.

Just because somebody is not "doing church" the way we do is no reason for us to jump down their throats and consign them to outer darkness. A wrong judgment at the wrong time with the wrong motives does just as much damage as ignoring those who treat God like a lap dog or a fire insurance policy. We must not write another church off just because they don't neatly fit into our sock drawer of church polity.

I hope this helps all of us as we seek to faithfully follow God's leadership.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Will Relocation Change What Is Central to Us?

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Monday, September 26, 2011 10:39 AM

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Many of us have a perspective on the new building on Parris Bridge Road. I think it looks like a peach shed. Others are surprised at how big it is. Everyone is glad there will be no steps to climb! But one perspective I want us to think about and draw an observation or two from is Scott Carter's; he thinks it looks like a prison. Now, you have to understand that he said this jokingly, and to be honest it does resemble a prison right now without the skin on the metal studs. But Scott knows, as we all do, that the building stands for something completely the opposite of a prison - it is a place of freedom because of our crucified King!

Because the gospel we embrace and preach is a gospel that sets prisoners free, the place where it is both embraced and proclaimed must be considered a place of freedom as well. At the outset of Jesus' ministry, while in the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus read from the prophet Isaiah:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
Because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovering of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed,
To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor (Luke 4:18-29 [cf. Isaiah 61:1-2]).

After Jesus read these powerful words He said, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." It is impossible not to hear these words as a personal application to Himself. It is through the proclamation of the good news of Christ's death that those who are held captive by sin are set free.

This is what has been done at Calvary since its beginning in 1923, it is what we are doing at Calvary today and this is what we will be doing when we relocate. A new building has never changed what has been central to this church, and there is no need to think that moving down the street is going to cause us to change now.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

The Way I Remember 9-11

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Wednesday, September 07, 2011 4:43 PM

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This Sunday, September 11, marks the tenth anniversary of the attack on our country. This event is one of those in our lives when we will always remember where we were and what we were doing. At the first mention that something tragic happened, there was a mad dash to find a TV, and for the most of the rest of the day that is all we did - sit and watch in disbelieving confusion. On that morning 19 terrorists took over 4 planes. Two planes were crashed into the World Trade Center Twin Towers in New York City, 1 plane was crashed into the Pentagon, and 1 more was taken over by passengers and crashed in an empty field in Pennsylvania. It took 2 hours for the Twin Towers to fall. Almost 3,000 people died that day. 9-11 has had a huge impact in America, some for the good and some for the bad. I can think of two I would like us to think about as we remember this weekend.

First, a tragedy like this shakes us to our very core. We stand in disbelief that something like this could happen here. We have a hard time putting something as terrible as this in a category where we can analyze it and eventually figure it out. It is beyond our understanding. One thing I have learned is that bad people will continue to to bad things, but it is up to good people to make changes, and the only changes that will last are those for eternity. It is only the Gospel introduced into this situation that will make an eternal difference. Elected officials will make policies, but Christians must share the crucified King!

Second, a tragedy like this shapes our future. 9-11 plunged us into war and economic crisis. It is difficult to find an accurate number of Americans killed since the terrorist attack on U.S. soil, but one source stated that 8,800 Americans have been killed in the war on terror (both military and civilian). We have sent thousands our our children overseas to fight this war, and it will forever shape the landscape of our country's history. But I have another question, "How has it shaped us spiritually?" Something as terrible as this should shape the Church into a haven of peace and security when we find none in the world. the Church must be shaped into prayer, an allegiance to the Gospel as the only answer, and as place where people find answers to spiritual questions.

We should never forget 9-11. I don't believe it would do any good to ignore what happened, but we must also take solace in the fact that Christ is still reigning and He has invaded the kingdom of darkness through the cross. Terrorism will win if the landscape of America is unchanged spiritually because of September 11, 2001.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Praying for Our Students

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Wednesday, August 31, 2011 11:02 AM

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All of our students have been adopted for the coming year, but I fear that we have lost sight of the vision I originally had for this ministry. The main purpose behind our "adopt-a-student ministry" was to have people praying consistently for them during the school year. What brought me to begin this at Calvary were Paul's Letters. One of the repeated themes in his letters is consistency in praying, both through his example and his instruction. Praying must be a priority in our relationships.

On a practical level I believe all of our students need prayer. They all face pressure and temptations, and I believe it is our spiritual obligation to take each of them to the throne of grace. On more than one occasion Blake told Barb that he knew people were praying for him during exam week.

However, I think the train has derailed a little and, therefore, next year we will have a major overhaul to this ministry. I sense that we have focused more on gifts than prayer. This practice is destructive to the kids for two reasons: first, it makes them more selfish because they get used to looking for a gift when they see their adoptive family on Sunday; second, it takes away from the main focus of prayer. I daresay that some have even hesitated in adopting a student to pray for because it means more buying.

I'll lay the burden of derailing the train on myself, but from here on let's keep the focus on praying. To encourage you to remember here are some tips that may help:

  • Place reminders in your life to pray (i.e., pictures on refrigerators, names on a sticky note in the car, etc.).
  • Ask you student (or parent) to give you a class schedule.
  • Be sensitive to pressure cooker times in your student's life (i.e., exams).
I think without too much trouble we'll get back on track, and as we grow our students will know that we've got them covered in prayer!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

The Earthquake of 2011!

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10:51 AM

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At approximately 1:51 p.m on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 I felt the earthquake. At first I thought it was the helicopter flying over at the time or maybe a big truck trying to make it up the hill on Pearl Street, but no it was an earthquake! For those of us who experienced it, it was pretty cool in one way. It's one of those rare things that happen, and it reminded me of a couple of things from Scripture.

First, an earthquake is one of those reminders from God that the earth is under a curse because of sin. When sin came it didn't just affect humanity, the effects of sin are universal. Our entire planet feels the result of man's disobedience and desperately wants to get out from underneath its curse. Paul wrote,

For the creation itself was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now (Romans 8:20-22).

Tuesday afternoon we felt "mother earth" push!

Second, an earthquake reminds me that life happens quickly! Certain events, good and bad, come into our life unexpectedly. No matter how much we plan, something could come at us out of the blue and knock us out of our argyle socks. People don't plan to have a catastrophe touch their life. None of us wake up in the morning saying, "I think I'd like something really bad to happen to me today." That would be crazy, but these things happen every day, and when they touch close to home it hits an emotional chord we didn't realize existed.

The plain fact is that we just don't know what's going to happen tomorrow; in fact, we don't even have a promise that tomorrow will ever get here (and for some it won't). Listen to what James had to say on that matter,

You do not know what tomorrow will bring (James 4:14).

It is moment like these we need to be reminded that God has reversed the effects of sin through the cross. It is in the gospel we find our hope in catastrophes, not in our emergency preparedness (as important as that is). It is only through Jesus and what He did at Calvary that we find hope at times like these.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Newness

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Thursday, August 18, 2011 2:31 PM

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A new school year has begun! For many this is a time of getting back into a good routine. Teachers want to teach a fresh batch of young, eager minds, and students want to show their friends their new shoes, jeans, shirts, and boyfriends...it's something new for everyone. It's simply an exciting time of year! At least it's better than sitting around bored with nothing to do but watch the grass turn brown in the heat of the summer. "Newness" is wonderful and this time of year reminds me of the constant newness of the Christian life.

God spiritually created us to be new through Christ. Paul called us God's "new creation" and then he describes God's creative activity in our lives with the statement "the old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). God is not satisfied with leaving us the way we were; He wants and expects change. This change is radical in the sense that it affects every single, solitary area of our life. It's a different direction for our lives, a different desire for our passions, a new set of habits, and a different way of looking at life.

Another point I want to make is that this change never ends. The newness is always new again. We will never get to a point in our lives when change is no longer necessary. We must always be growing. This constant, spiritual growth is by God's sovereign design according to Romans 8:29,

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son...

Just think about it, God's plan from before time began was to make us more and more like His Son. This plan is rooted in the gospel, continues in the gospel and finishes in the gospel. I say this because our spiritual growth is about being conformed to the image of Jesus. He didn't say conformed to a set of rules or traditions, but His Son. Central to being remade int he image of Jesus is the cross, and so central to our spiritual growth is the cross.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

A Painful & Proud Night

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Friday, August 12, 2011 9:49 PM

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I find so much joy in being a father, but I have also experienced pain. One of the most painful experiences is watching your children leave. Tonight is one of those painful nights. Tomorrow morning (8-13-11) we are taking our youngest, Abigail Jo, to the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. The Ford Expedition is packed, her "last supper" was homemade pizza and cake pops, her boyfriend, Pace, is here, and now they are all loudly playing a game of nertz (don't ask, I can't play because I can't keep up). Behind me I can hear a lot of card-playing trash talking and loud laughter. For all of that I am thankful, but a part of me is falling apart.

One of my fondest memories of Abby is a family vacation we took to Florida. We were staying in a resort in Orlando and decided to take the clan to FAO Schwarz. We had to park about a mile away. On the long walk Abby held my hand and talked to me the entire way. That was probably 12 years ago, but to me it happened yesterday. What I love about memories is that nobody can take them away from you and that one will always stay in my heart.

I am absolutely thrilled that Abby is going off to college. I am so proud of the decisions she has made up to this point in her life. She is a deeply spiritual young woman and she has my gratitude and respect. I love her with all of my heart and will continue to pray everyday that she stays cross-centered and safe.

A Proud & Sad Daddy,
Scott

Soul Gardening

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Wednesday, August 10, 2011 9:23 AM

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Okay, I must confess that I love the fact that the steel is going up on the new property! Progress is exciting and contagious. In my wildest dreams I never imagined we would be at this point so early in my pastoral ministry at Calvary, but God knew what He was doing. More amazing than the concrete and steel being put up on the new property is the spirit of the people at Calvary Church. You all are such a blessed people to pastor and I am thankful everyday for the honor of being called your "pastor."

In thinking about what I wanted to write to you this week I thought of at least one caution for us all: Don't get so caught up in the future of moving into a new building that we forget about ministering in the present! There is a serious danger is focusing so much attention on the move of tomorrow that we neglect what God has called us to do today. I really believe that we will lose our focus of honoring the great majesty of our God and helping the body of Christ at Calvary if all of our attention is given over to a new building. One area we must focus on is reaching new people who belong at Calvary no matter where we are meeting. We cannot afford to wait; we cannot allow the providential appointments God puts in our paths to slip past.

God has providentially and strategically placed us in our families, schools, neighborhoods, workplaces and hangouts to plant the seed of the gospel or to water that seed. And remember, it is not up to us to harvest...that is God's business.

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6).

The reason God orchestrates His work this way is to maximize the glory He receives when a life is radically changed through His gospel.

So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:7).

We need to know our place in God's "soul gardening" plan. So, let's put on the gloves, get out the seed and watering can and get into the garden!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Calvary's New Home

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Monday, August 01, 2011 7:15 PM

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I thought it was time I posted the artist's rendering of the new building we will hopefully occupy in November 2011. Right now all we can say is, "Welcome to our pad!" Literally, all we have is a concrete pad, but they will start putting up the steel on Wednesday (7-3-11). We are all excited and are praying daily that this new location would honor our Lord and benefit His children!

Are We Moving in the Right Direction?

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10:07 AM

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As a church are we moving in the right direction? Good question, but isn't it a little late to be asking it now? I don't believe so for at least two reasons:

First, it is the right question because this is not the first time we've asked it. Over the last three years I have repeatedly asked this question. With every step we've taken to relocate Calvary Church I've personally asked this question in one form or another. When I stop and ask this specific question it causes me to ask another important one: "Why are we doing this?" If the first response from me is anything other an to display God's glory in a greater way to a community searching for a God-honoring church then our motivation is completely wrong. As we move forward we must always keep God's glory as the preeminent goal is relocating.

Second, it is the right question because of the danger of getting caught up in building a building and neglecting the church! I never dreamed how much it would take to build a new building. The largest building I've ever built is a 47 sq. ft. tree house, and that didn't turn out too great. So now, faced with a building project of almost 17,000 sq. ft. is quite daunting. Almost every day we are faced with emails, phone calls, engineer reports on concrete, invoices, sales people, and the list goes on. But what about the people who come week-after-week seeking direction, conviction and comfort from God's Word? What about the shut-ins who are looking for a friendly face to knock on their door? What about the saints who find themselves facing surgery at the hospital? Remember, these things haven't magically stopped just because we are building a building. So this question reminds me that if we get caught up in the sticks and bricks while neglecting the people then we are not truly building the church!

My prayer for Calvary is that as we build this building we will never neglect the truly important...the glory of God and good of His people.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Clearing Our Conscience

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9:26 AM

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I received a letter last week that was the end of a young man's forty-three battle with guilt. I am leaving it anonymous to protect his reputation.

"As a young boy, I decided to skip school for the day as I was sure I would not pass a test to be given. A day of hooky sounded like a better plan. I was not alone in this though and soon a friend joined me in a day of adventure. It was midday when we wandered to the steps of Calvary Baptist Church and went inside to look around. Honestly there were no preconceived plans for what happened next, but I was there so I am guilty. As I looked around, I saw my friend taking a microphone from a stand and placing it under his shirt. I asked him what he was doing and before I knew it we were both running out the door.

"That was forty-three years ago and it is still on my mind. I am a Christian and have been for over twenty-five years. I know Christ has forgiven me, but want to give back what was taken. Please accept my deepest apologies and the enclosed check."

Oh, how this letter touched my heart (as I hope it does yours)! Immediately I was reminded of what Paul said it Acts 24:16,

So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.

Biblically this man did the right thing. He sought forgiveness from God first and then began building his life for Christ. Along the way God changed him and that changed involved a radical obedience to the Spirit's moving. Eventually his conscience was convicted of the wrong he committed forty-three years ago against a congregation who for the most part didn't know the theft took place or had forgotten and moved on. However, God would not let this man move on until he radically obeyed and proved his repentance through a changed life. I am sure his check more than covers the microphone, and besides, the microphone is not the real issue anyway...his radical obedience is.

I praise our Father in heaven for letters and repentant faith like this. I reminds me that my spiritual walk is not moving in the right direction until I am ready to obey my Sovereign Lord at any cost to me personally. I hope this reminder helps your walk too.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Be Still

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Wednesday, July 06, 2011 3:43 PM

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Watching the back and forth motion of the earth moving and compaction equipment is mesmerizing. It has quite a cool soothing effect on me. I try to squeeze a little time a few days a week to drive out to the new property and watch. I love to see the progress that each day and week brings, and I enjoy the distraction. It's sort of like a cheap alternative to going to the beach and watching the waves roll up on the sand. I just know better than to take along a beach umbrella and chair and set up in the middle of 4026 Parris Bridge Road - although it would be sort of fun to see what reactions it would generate!

Sometimes we need a break from the cacophony of the crowd. At our downtown location all I hear all day is the noise of traffic of Pearl Street (which includes sirens from all sorts of emergency vehicles). At times it drives me to the edge of insanity and that is when I seek some solitude of peace and quiet. I find this peace and quiet by driving out to the new property and watching other people work while shut up in my car. Hey, I could go to work for the road commission!

Nothing super profound this week, just a reminder that sometimes we need to get away from the hustle and bustle - get away from the screaming world around us and find a place of quiet to meditate on what God is teaching us and pray. There are times when God calls us to action: "Don't just sit there, do something!" But at other times He calls us to quiet: "Don't just do something, sit there."

Be still, and know that I am God... (Psalm 46:10a)

God's intention in these quiet times is not self-focus, but God-focus. The outcome of finding a place of quiet rest is primarily to gather our thoughts about God's majestic beauty - to rediscover just who is in control of this little ball of dirt we call "Earth."

I really believe this is going to be a very busy year for us at Calvary Church. We have so much to do and while that is certainly exciting it is also dangerous. It is dangerous because in all of the hustle and bustle we may end up forgetting for Whom we are doing all of this. So stop! Be still! And remember everything we do is for God's honor and the good of His children!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Our Lives Will Influence People

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3:27 PM

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When you go out to eat with certain people you just know that the meal is going to take some time. For instance, if you go somewhere with Preacher Crocker you have to be prepared to stop about every ten feet and wait for him as he talks with somebody he knows. Well, on Monday I found myself along with Greg and Keith taking PC out for a belated birthday lunch to the Clock (awesome bacon cheeseburgers!). And in keeping with tradition, as soon as we walked into the restaurant I noticed people looking at PC and whispering; I knew then that we were in for a long lunch. After we sat down a couple came over and began talking with us - a blast from PC's past. This is not an unusual occurrence, its standard fare, and I both enjoyed it and learned from it.

Through the years of pastoring, Preacher Crocker has taken the time to get involved in people's lives. He didn't simply pass them by thinking he was too important to get involved with their everyday messes. He is one who has taught me firm, loving compassion. I think we've all been around long enough to know that you don't get his reputation by being filled with your own sense of self-importance.

I have read many good books (and some not so good) on how to be a pastor, but nothing will ever take the place of spending time with men who have done it right. Theory on the black and white is one thing, but what I've found more helpful is reading the flesh and blood books of my brothers who care enough to teach me. And believe me, I still have a long way to go because I'm still learning! I have been blessed to have two such men in my life as a pastor: Jerry Wiley and James Crocker.

Our lives will influence people - good, bad or ugly (not people, our influence). What we say and do follows us well into our 80's. Remember this lesson as you think about the people with whom you work, play and worship. The very person you ignore may become the same person who ends up sitting next to you in Sunday school one morning; what will they think then? The one you stop and spend time listening to in the nursing home may just be the mother of somebody looking for a good church. Think about it.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Growing Through Trials

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3:14 PM

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I can't help thinking about where Calvary Church will be in five to ten years. I know there will be "high water" marks and "low water" marks. The years ahead will be filled with great memories as we continue our pursuit of honoring God's majesty in all we do. I also realize that we will face trials that will test our faith. Church life will not be an easy-breezy coast along the highway of no potholes. Trials will come and they will be a constant reminder that we should not make ourselves too comfortable because we aren't home yet. These times of testing can be very beneficial or equally devastating...it all depends on our response. And therein lies what I've been thinking about the last few days: Our growth from trials will be directly proportionate to our response in those trials.

This is why James wrote "count it all joy when you encounter various trials." He knew spiritual growth would come as a result of a proper response to these times of testing. So, when trials come knocking at your door, stop and ask, "God, what am I supposed to learn from this?" And remember that God doesn't want us to go around the trial; He wants us to go through the trial with His help. I hope this helps your spiritual walk.

On another note I want to thank those who've served the Lord so well over the last few weeks on mission trips. Our thanks goes to out to Tammy Gilbert for serving for a week in Honduras. Our gratitude also goes out to Matthew Bayliff, Maggie Cox, Kacie Hines, Abby Linnerud, Ben Linnerud, Blake Linnerud, and Nikki Paxton who all served through Salkehatchie Summer Service in Blythewood, SC. These mission trips, though diverse, accomplished much for the name of our Lord. the sacrifice of your faith is a joy to all of us!

My hope and prayer for all of us this week is that we sense the smile of God on our lives as we live for Him!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Prayer Is Our Only Option!

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3:03 PM

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We are finally underway. This week they brought out the bulldozers (never really knew why they call them that) and earthmovers (I can figure that one out). Our little piece of dirt that was once all trees is being reduced to nothing but good ole South Carolina red dirt! Yea, I'm pretty jazzed right now. Here is what we can expect to see...

  • By the end of June a slab will be poured. That slab will be the foundation of our new building.
  • By the middle of July the steel will begin to go up.
That just gives us an overview of what we should see and when we should see it taking place. I anticipate many of us will spend some time out there watching, and others will not be able to do that because you don't live in the are. For everyone my challenge is to pray. If you find yourself standing in the parking lot of the Fast Stop use some of that time to seek the Lord and ask Him for wisdom and blessings for Calvary Baptist Church. If you are not able to get to the building site, then as the Lord brings Calvary to mind please pray. This is the time to be persistent in prayer. A verse that is important for our praying is Matthew 7:7:

[Keep on] asking, and it will be given to you; [keep on] seeking, and you will find; [keep on] knocking, and it will be opened to you. (emphasis mine)

Never give up praying. Prayer is not our last resort it is our only option! But we must be careful not to pray selfishly. Remember what James wrote:

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. (James 4:3)

And when we find ourselves at a loss for words we should allow the Holy Spirit to help us.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings to deep for words. (Romans 8:26)

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Waiting

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Tuesday, June 14, 2011 9:54 AM

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Waiting is difficult. Patience is something with which we all struggle. Its tough wanting something to happen, knowing it is going to happen any day, but not seeing it happen when we expect it. This has been our experience at Calvary this week. We thought for sure the grading on the new property would begin. We even thought we saw evidence of it early in the week when two pieces of machinery showed up on the property. However, that equipment belonged to the Depart of Transportation; I have no idea why its there. I guess I have a new appreciation for the old saying, "A watched pot never boils." How true! No matter how many times I drive by, the dirt is still not getting moved.

At this point we cannot allow a lack of patience to overwhelm us and plunge us into frustration. This is not what God wants for His church. He is never early and certainly never late; His timing is perfect. Part of what we must do at this point is surrender ownership. Keep in mind that this is God's project...we are simply the stewards, managers, overseers He has entrusted.

A verse of Scripture I have parked on this week to find help is found in Proverbs 13:12, Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

We must guard our expectations. If we think something is going to take place and we schedule our life around that event but it is not God's timing then we will be greatly disappointed (i.e., our heart will be sick). I think it boils down to trust. Are we going to trust God to run the show and work things out in His way? In this situation we have to choice but to wait patiently. What other option is there? Its not like we can run out there with shovels and get the job done.

Our hearts will be filled with joy when the grading begins. This will be the "tree of life" Solomon wrote about. I am anticipating the day we will all meet in the parking lot of the Fast Stop and rejoice together that once again God is doing something great for us!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Writing the Final Chapter

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Thursday, June 02, 2011 9:32 AM

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If you will permit me a little personal reflection this week I would greatly appreciate it. Graduation reminds me of endings and beginnings. For Barb and me it is the end of a long trip...the last chapter in but one book we will write. All of our children have now graduated from high school. I have come to call each of these graduations "sitting on the edge of disaster." Why? Because I feel the wrenching in my entire being as our children step away from us and plunge themselves into a great adventure! They are not on the edge of disaster, but we are. Our emotions run wild as we hear their names called and they walk across that stage. I hope you understand our feelings.

I feel the same way about Calvary Church. We are beginning to write the last chapter of just one of the books on our shelf. I spend time at night contemplating how we are going to write these final words. Sometimes it is troubling and sometimes exhilarating! I tend toward the melancholy at times like these. I don't want us to falter; I don't want us to stumble; I don't want us to fail. And maybe I play too much emphasis on us and not enough on an almighty Creator who made us in His image. But I honestly fear that it will end in a mess and the result will be a poorly written chapter that is very disappointing.

All of this reflection brings me to the point of what I am attempting to write this week and I think Paul said it best,

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)

I want to encourage all of us that what we are doing is primarily for the Lord. If we truly build this building for the glory of the Lord and the good of His people, then we will write this last chapter beautifully. It will be a chapter that we will want to return to and read many times over. It will be a credit to God's majestic glory and a benefit to His children.

What I am trying to say is: let's do something that will be remembered for the right reasons! Let's move away from the spotlight and point others to the wonderful work that God has done and will continue to do. I believe that if we do this then the book we finish this year will be worth the time to read and we will begin to write a new one that everyone will anticipate reading once it is finished...chapter-by-chapter!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Groundbreaking!

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Sunday, May 29, 2011 4:12 PM

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To God be all the glory! After three years of praying, seeking wise counsel, planning, studying, meeting and voting the relocation of Calvary Church is finally underway. The Groundbreaking Service we had on Sunday evening, May 22, 2011 was the official launch of attempting, as far as man is concerned, the impossible. But God is the God of the impossible.

I am both excited and scared about the future. I am excited about God continuing to do the impossible as the new building on Parris Bridge Road get built. I am scared because I know that we are facing a spiritual battle against the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2). We are not waging war against an enemy that can be seen; he is not flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). If we could see the enemy, if we could touch him, if we could hear him coming, if we could sense his presence in some physical way it would make the fight so much easier. But just because he can't be seen, heard or felt doesn't make him any less real. Be assured of this one thing: Satan is fighting a turf war for the souls of lost people and the hearts of disillusioned, disenfranchised disciples in our area, and he is not going to go away quietly just because we are bringing in the large and loud earth movers on Parris Bridge Road. No, because we showed up he will too!

Be confident of this one thing: the devil will only be defeated as we move forward on our knees in faith. Our utter dependence on God is absolutely necessary at a time like this. I believe God will build His Church; I just want us to be a part of what He is doing. May we valiantly fight the spiritual battle. It will cost, but the rewards will be worth the price.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

The Trees Are Down!

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Wednesday, May 11, 2011 2:14 PM

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The trees are down...at least the pine ones are! This is progress and progress is exciting. Removing the trees was the next step in the many that we will take in the months ahead. Did you realize that we are a short six months away from moving? I usually like to take a look ahead which is good, but sometimes it can be depressing. It is good because we are taking each step into the future by faith. the future is only something that God knows and if we remember that then we will not be anxious about the future. It can also be depressing because of all the work that needs to be done before we move. Here is what yet needs to be done:

First, we need to decide how much money God would allow us to borrow. This will be the main item of discussion of Sunday night (5-15-11). Please come as we discuss the recommendation of the deacons and myself. As one deacon said, "This is not a problem for God...He has no problems."

Second, we need to finish cleaning and inventorying the approximately 48,000 sq. ft. we presently occupy. This project has been going "swimmingly." Each month we set aside one Saturday to attack an area of the building. I would guess that we are about 38.6492% done.

Third, we need to raise money for certain items we will need in the new building. What things? We will need a stage, phone system, and chairs for the auditorium. Those are immediate needs, but others will need our attention in the near future (security system, replacing tables, replacing the sound system, a sign, and landscaping).

I am confident in the Lord as I look to the future of Calvary Church. The reason I feel this way is because it isn't up to us, it is up to Almighty God and nothing is impossible for His to accomplish. the one activity that has been on my mind more than usual for us is prayer. This is not a time to fret; it is a time to pray. I would also encourage you to be fasting-praying if the Lord leads you to do so.

I believe that if we attempt this without God's help and leadership we will not have tapped into His inexhaustible resources. God is a God who does the impossible. We must be a praying and working church. We will only see fruit as we do this work God's way!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Choose the Best, Moms

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Wednesday, May 04, 2011 3:26 PM

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I think you moms need more than one day set aside to celebrate all you do. I know as a little boy I put so much stress on my mom that she deserved a "Mother's Day" once a week. I think I know why some moms color their hair - to hide the gray hairs brought on my little boys. But I digress...

Moms, I want to encourage you to take on Mary's characteristic of hanging on every word of Jesus. The sisters, Martha and Mary, are a study in contrasts. Martha was a woman who took care of things, probably necessary things, and not just one thing, but many things. She got stuff done, but she probably took on too much because Jesus said to her,

Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things (Luke 10:42a).

No doubt some of the things she was obsessed over were things for other people to take care of. But I think it was in Martha's nature to make sure everything got done, and if something was left undone then she felt it her mission to get that done as well. The problem with this is that it robbed her of the time she could have been spending doing something better - something her sister, Mary, was doing. Jesus said of Mary,

Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her (Luke 10:42b).

And just what was the "good portion" that Mary had chosen? She had chosen to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to His teaching (cf. v. 39). It seems that we usually find Mary at Jesus' feet handing on His every word!

Now let's not be too hard on Martha. At times all of us find ourselves doing so many "good" things that we neglect the "best" thing! I just want to encourage you moms to make good choices. Spending time at Jesus' feet soaking in His teaching is a higher priority than making sure the hamper is empty and the ironing basket is kept to a minimum. It is better to take time everyday to be with jesus than Betty Crocker. When you spend time with Jesus then you are better equipped to mold the lives of children.

Happy Mother's Day!
Scott

"Thank You" Notes

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Wednesday, April 27, 2011 1:29 PM

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We have almost lost the practice of appreciation; we have misplaced the habit of saying thank you. I think this happens because we take people for granted. We see each other week after week and day after day. It is normal for these people to be a part of our lives. We get used to what others do for us and we only take notice of what they do when they don't do it. Does that make sense to you? I hope so.

Paul is a good example of showing his appreciation to his fellow believers. In almost every letter he wrote, he expressed his thanks (cf. Romans 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:4; Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:3; Colossians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Timothy 1:3; Philemon 4). This week I would like to point out just a couple of observations about Paul's thank you notes:

First, Paul's thanksgiving was directed to God. Yes, he did openly express his thanksgiving in his letters, but he was thanking God for these believers. He was careful to make sure they knew that he was thankful to God for them. This is a great compliment we can pay to others. A God-ward thankfulness is sincere whereas a man-ward thankfulness can be hypocritical and self-serving.

Second, Paul's thanksgiving was about spiritual qualities. He saw things such as faith, love and hope as important. There was never a focus on the external, temporary traits; he kept his attention on those things in believers that we lasting and world-changing.

the avenues of communication we have today are both wonderful and quick, but they should never take the place of a timely written and much needed handwritten card. I hope all of us will be challenged to take the time to occasionally write a personal note to someone and tell them that we are thankful for what God has done in their lives and how God is using them in ours. When God brings someone across your mind take that as a prompting of the Holy Spirit to get out pen and paper and put words to your feelings.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

The Resurrection Gives Us Hope

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Thursday, April 21, 2011 9:27 AM

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The resurrection is a doctrine of hope. It is a truth that was shrouded in mystery for centuries to Old Testament believers. The believers who lived before Christ's resurrection were not given much revelation from God about what happened to those who died. But even those believers trusted that God would do the right thing. Job said of his life after death,

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God. (Job 19:25-26)

At this point in history God had not chosen to pull back the curtain to reveal what happened to His followers after they died. The mystery of what ultimately happened to the body after death continued. And then it happened! Three days after Jesus' agonizing death on the cross He physically raised from the dead. What was once a total mystery began to be revealed. God began to give a glimpse of His plan for our physical bodies after we die.

God continued to progressively reveal His ways throughout the New Testament. When we finally come upon Paul he basically throws the curtain wide open so all could see. Paul was dealing with this issue with the believers in Thessalonica; he wanted to give them hope in the midst of grieving for those who had died and so he wrote,

But we do not want you to be uninformed brothers about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep...The dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive...will be caught up together with them...and so we will always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, 16-17)

I believe people look for hope in death. The one true hope believers have in death is that God is not done with their believing loved ones. He clearly promises a resurrection to eternal life for those who believe in Him. The resurrection of His Son, Jesus, is proof positive of the authenticity of the resurrection. The resurrection we celebrate every week as we gather on the first day of the week infuses us with hope!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

You Honored Her Well

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Tuesday, April 12, 2011 3:30 PM

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What you did for Barb on Sunday night was "fantastically wonderful"! And I want to say, "Thank you." Your love was on vibrant display as you surprised her to honor her just for being Barb. She is truly a wonderful woman...I may be biased, but I know I'm right. In the churches we've served she is one of the factors that I'm sure got me the job. And yes, I agree that I married way beyond my pay grade! I don't think you can spend even five minutes with her without coming away with the feeling that you've met somebody pretty special. By the way, I believe a church like Calvary deserves a pastor's wife like Barb!

Does this surprise me about Calvary? Not in the least! This is a church filled with people who not only tell you they love you but also prove that love through action. It reminds me of what God dreamed His Church would be like. He didn't create a church that would be all talk and no action. One of the many important aspects of His Church is a loving environment where people know they are loved by what people do not just what they say.

Jesus vehemently attacked the religious hypocrisy of His day. On one occasion He said, "They preach, but do not practice" (Matthew 23:3). Even Paul sense this danger of saying but not doing when he addressed the believers in Corinth. He compared his Christian walk with that of a runner, and in the analogy he said that runners discipline themselves to run by the rules so that when they cross the finish line they win legitimately (1 Corinthians 9:24-27a). He applied this analogy to his own life-ministry and wrote in the end,

...Let after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified (v. 27b).

A danger always exists in our lives of becoming a hypocrite (saying one thing and doing another). We must not let that sin slip into our lives. If we do then we are no better off than the accepted religion of Jesus' day that thought they knew God but were far from Him.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

3 Elements that Make Calvary Church Great to Pastor!

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Wednesday, April 06, 2011 11:39 AM

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I pastor the greatest church known to mankind! Now I realize that is a bold statement, but I believe that if I don't feel this way then I have to ask myself, "Why am I here?" Every pastor should feel this way about the congregation they under-shepherd, and at any time he feels like the grass is greener in another pasture then it's time to pack the books and move on. But let me tell you why I believe this particular group of Christ-followers is simply the best.

A God-Exalting Passion. The people at Calvary are truly striving to lift the name of God high above all others. This is a growing desire here that steers the ship. You just need to step into one of the services and you will sense this focus. We are not about gimmicks, glitz, or gold--we are about God!

A Family Atmosphere. While this is a trait many are trying to attain it is something that I believe Calvary has achieved. When you come week after week you just feel like you've come home. Every week is a family reunion. No, we are not perfect, but what family is?

A Truth-Hungry Appetite. Christians naturally love God's Word. They see the Bible as their lifeline to the heavenly Father and His instructions on how to live. When you come to Calvary you encounter a people who have a heavy appetite for that Word. You cannot come to Calvary without wanting to be taught.

These are only three of the factors that make Calvary Church the best. I love you and it is an honor to be your pastor. One of my prayers is that I will be able to return to the pastoral trend set back when the church first started in 1923. The first four pastors pastored the church for 62 years, and two of the first four pastors stayed for over 18 years. Let's get back to that pattern and see what God will do over the next 15 years!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

The People Had a Mind to Work

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Tuesday, March 22, 2011 11:28 AM

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Seventeen years old to eighty-four...that was the "span of the ages" on Saturday's Packing Day (3-19-11). It was nothing short of amazing to watch and work alongside this group of 20 people. Everyone jumped in right away and started moving chairs...and boy do we have chairs, and not just ordinary, lightweight, easy-to-stack chairs. No, we have about 490 solid oak, non-stacking chairs, and we needed to move about 300 of them from the 5th and 4th floors of the educational building to the gym. The elder statesman of our troop came up with the old fireman's bucket brigade approach. Well, you can scratch that of the to do list! I want to shout out a huge "THANK YOU" to those who have been able to come out and help over the last three months.

As I reflect on that morning I am reminded of the post-exiled Jews who, under the leadership of Nehemiah, rebuilt the ruined walls around Jerusalem. They too jumped right in and got the job done no matter what obstacles they faced. Nehemiah wrote of them,

...The people had a mind to work! (Nehemiah 4:6)

Even though God put the task of rebuilding the walls in Nehemiah's heart (cf. 1:12), he realized he could not do the work himself. Why? Well, the task was just too much for one person. He needed help. He understood the old adage, "Many hands make light work." But he also knew that the responsibility of rebuilding needed to be shared by the ones who would enjoy the end result.

We have now had three packing days. We are scheduled to have nine more. The reason for having these once-a-month packing days is because we have about 51,000 sq. ft. of space to inventory and pack up. Yes, it is hard work, but it is also a morning of fun. Come out and put your muscles to use for the glory of God! If you have a mind to work we will find something for you to do.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

"I Just Don't Have the Time!"

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Monday, March 14, 2011 10:03 AM

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In the midst of a building program there is the danger of neglecting ministry. Deacon's meetings, renovation committee meetings, relocation committee meetings, future building plan committee meetings, budget and finance meetings, meetings with builders, and meetings with bankers consume our time. Meetings! Meetings!! And more meetings!!! These are essential and must have a place in our schedule, but if other priorities are neglected then something is wrong. Let me put it this way...Sunday is still on the calendar (every week!), shut-ins still need to be visited, people are still having surgery, suffering hasn't magically gone away, and God still longs for us to talk with Him through prayer.

We often say, "I just don't have the time!" I've used that excuse (and just maybe some reading this have as well), but we must realize that it is an incorrect statement from God's perspective. God has given us all the time we need to do His will. It is just a matter of prioitizing...or re-prioritizing.

Do you understand that Satan doesn't want us to have priorities that puts God first? He wants us to be busy about doing good things so that the best things get neglected. He wants us to get so wrapped up in the process of building (a good thing) so that we spend less time praying and devoting ourselves to God's Word (the best things). I believe it would put a smile on the devil's face if we got lost in planning where the babies, children, students and adults will meet for Sunday school all the while neglecting the very ones we want to put in those rooms.

Paul understood the tyranny of the adversary on our time when he wrote,

Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16).

Take note that he wrote, "making the best use of the time." I am trying to ask myself throughout each day as meetings arise and decisions need to be made, "Is this the best use of my time." Let me challenge you to do the same. It also helps me to remember the words of Solomon,

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Grace & Peace,
Scott
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