Today (10.27.09) I celebrate my 47th birthday. I was born in a small hospital in a small sea side town in Alaska. The view from the hospital room was breathtaking as the picture testifies. My mom tells me there were only two babies in the nursery so she is sure I am hers. On the way to the hospital my dad had to stop for coffee. Now I know where my brother gets this habit from. You see, whenever Jack and I take a trip we stop at least three times before we make it out of Spartanburg County to stop for coffee.
Today I am alive and this is one reason I am pro-life. I am also staunchly against abortion because I firmly believe life begins at conception. It is at that moment that God breathes into a tiny baby life. Any other view in my opinion is unacceptable. I agree with David when he wrote,
For you formed my inward parts;
You knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
My soul knows it very well. (Psalm 139:13-14 ESV)
I will always be grateful that my parents chose life for me.
Grace & Peace,
Scott
As I think about this weekend in light of Homecoming 2009 at Calvary Church I consider myself one blessed man! I have so much for which to be thankful because God has blessed me in overwhelming and sometimes surprising ways. Let me explain...
I am the son of the most wonderful Father anyone could ever have. I have been adopted into a spiritual family that gives me a sense of belonging. With the spiritual inheritance that is mine in the heavens there is not a single think I really lack. Sure, there are things I want, but when I consider the spiritual treasure house that is available to me all my wants fade into dust and ashes. They are but dreams that sometimes turn into nightmares. They are things that quickly pale in comparison to the spiritual community to which I now belong.
I have been super blessed in my earthly family. God has blessed me with a wife who is second to none. She is one I don't deserve and certainly because of the grace of God has been my support in everything we've done over the last 25 years. God has gifted me with four children who deeply love God and are part of my spiritual family as well. I have parents who have always loved and supported me. And a sister and brother who have consistently expressed that they are "for me" even when it wasn't convenient.
I am the pastor of the best group of genuine followers of Jesus Christ. They have grown through the Word I have the privilege of preaching each week. They never grow tired of my rantings, and are quick to forgive when necessary. I have the greatest job in the world and often pray that it will never end. Calvary is a church where the cross is central in everything we do. No, we aren't perfect, but we are striving to live in light of Calvary.
When Homecoming rolls around for me it is an opportunity to take stock of my life and thank God for magnificently blessing me. What is your reflection this year? For what do you give thanks? I would encourage you to spend some time after reading this and think about God's blessings, and then actually write them out to share with others. You may not have the platform of a weekly article, but certainly you have people in your life who would love to hear how thankful you are. Maybe a good opportunity for you would be to come to Homecoming 2009 and share some of those blessings around the table.
Grace & Peace,
Scott
The Lord knows exactly what we need, when we need it and how we need it. I think all of us at Calvary Church have been a little discouraged lately. We have looked around and seen the low attendance at all of the worship services; we just seemed to be off a little lately. Now, I don't like to focus on the numbers and this is something I have especially struggled with lately. I have noticed that whenever numbers becomes my focus then the Lord is not. I believe He wants us to be fully satisfied in Him and Him alone. But the struggle is still there. I must confess that last week was a depressingly difficult week for me.
But then Sunday happened! I was so looking forward to being with the Calvary family on Sunday that I could hardly stand it. It was good to see familiar faces that haven't been able to come for one reason or another. And it was refreshing to see some new faces. But it is always wonderful to see the faces we see each week...I never get tired of "the same old crowd"! At the end of a great time of worship through the Lord's Table, six people stepped out and risked everything to join the family (I believe soon we will have two more). I don't know about you, but I simply can't get over people joining Calvary Baptist Church. It touches my heart in ways that I cannot describe.
I am excited about the Elder and Molinas. These two families came as a result of the influence of two other families (the Elders and Galloways) who joined Calvary in the last couple of years. I believe God will use our new additions to help us better honor His majesty and build people's lives. Welcome and God bless you for believing in us!
Homecoming is just a week away. I look forward to reconnecting with old friends. I also look forward to bragging on what God is doing at His church. I want the world to know what a great church Calvary is! I hope to see you there and that you are encouraging others to come.
Grace & Peace,
Scott
As our oldest son, Ben, was heading back to Clemson University from fall break he stopped and knelt by my chair and said he wanted to encourage me. He opened his Bible and read these words from Isaiah,
But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43:1-3 ESV)
I'm not sure he knew the impact he had by stopping to encourage me with Scripture. You see, I'm the dad, I'm the pastor, I'm the one with a master's degree in divinity, and I'm supposed to have it all together with all the answers for everyone at any time. But he knows better. He sees the human side of this man who sits in the easy chair checked out emotionally and spiritually drained. He knows I get discouraged, frustrated and sometimes even angry.
I appreciate and love my children so much. I especially enjoy it when I see changes in their lives that show they are genuinely following Jesus. Lately I have seen it in all four of our kids and am thankful God is working and they are obeying.
No, we didn't just happen to "luck out" with four exceptional children who love the Lord and their parents. Getting our kids to adulthood (and almost adulthood, not quite yet Abby) took a great deal of work (thank you Barb) and prayer. And no matter how old we get we will not give up!
I just needed to share this with you because it was fresh on my mind. I pray the Lord will use it to encourage and empower you.
Grace & Peace,
Scott
Sometimes we just can't give up! Okay, when it comes to someone's eternal destination we must never give up. God puts all the pieces together. He may call us to share a word of the gospel with someone who is lost, or He may just want us to live a consistent life before them so they will see that the gospel does make a difference, or God is calling us to pray for their salvation. This week I want to share a word of encouragement to all of us about not giving up on someone's salvation.
The first came two and a half weeks ago when I got the news that my Uncle Robert died. He was a bachelor and one of our favorites. He loved the outdoors and took every opportunity to take one of us fishing, hunting, or trapping. I learned a great deal around him and loved every visit he made. The only struggle I had through the years is that he didn't know Christ. On many occasions his mom, sister and brothers would witness to him, they consistently lived Christ before him and always prayed for his soul. When I got the news of his death my greatest fear was that he went off to meet God in judgment and condemnation. My brother told me this week that a pastor who was connected to our family had gone to visit him recently. After sharing the beautiful, life-changing gospel Uncle Robert said, "Yeah, I can do that."
The next story comes from Bascom Ford's brother, Harry. Harry died a week ago. The family didn't know for sure if he believed before his death. For those who have found themselves in this situation you know how difficult it is. Bascom called me Sunday night and told me Harry's story. Pastor Joey Burnett of Arcadia First Baptist Church shared Sunday morning that he and Harry's old boss, Leroy, went to make a visit on Harry on a Monday night. They shared the gospel and Harry accepted Christ.
Both of these stories brought peace and encouragement to their families. Their lives were very similar...both men were quiet, bachelors, came from large families, and were very kind. The most exciting similarity was that they both believed before they died.
It just goes to show that we must never give up! Paul wrote that some get to plant the seed and some water it, but it is the Lord who brings in the harvest (1 Corinthians 3:6). Who is important? Neither and both (vv. 7, 9). Ultimately God is the One who counts because He is the One who saves. It is our honor to be a part of the process of someone's salvation. So, don't give us on those whom God has placed in your life who are yet unsaved...keep planting and keep watering!
Grace & Peace,
Scott
Today (10.27.09) I celebrate my 47th birthday. I was born in a small hospital in a small sea side town in Alaska. The view from the hospital room was breathtaking as the picture testifies. My mom tells me there were only two babies in the nursery so she is sure I am hers. On the way to the hospital my dad had to stop for coffee. Now I know where my brother gets this habit from. You see, whenever Jack and I take a trip we stop at least three times before we make it out of Spartanburg County to stop for coffee.
