It is always exciting for us when somebody new comes to Calvary. We love visitors because we like to meet new people who might potentially turn into active members! Now, when somebody joins it is like Christmas all over again. This is what happened last Sunday...welcome John & Pam Suder!
We want to get down that isle and hug their neck or shake their hand; we want to shout "Hallelujah"; we want to shed tears of joy. Why all the emotion? We are emotional about people joining because they have come to know us, and they want to be a part of what God is us to at Calvary Church, and that brings joy to our souls. It touches a spiritual nerve deep inside us.
We must never take new people for granted. Whether someone is visiting or joining, it is our responsibility to make them feel like they've come home. God has enough "cold fish" churches out there that He is trying to light a fire under, let's not be one of them. Let's strive to be warm and loving to the sisters and brothers who come our way.
With the same breath I also want to say we must never take each other for granted...you know, the old people. Calvary is a family, and one of the characteristics that make us who we are is the way we treat one another week after week. This sense of family has always existed here. I'm not sure how it got started, but it is imperative that we keep it going. No matter what God does to us numerically in the future we must strive to maintain our family atmosphere.
What will you do now that you've read this? Not everyone who reads this electronically or in The Calvarette attends Calvary Baptist Church, but the lesson is still the same. You will make a difference where God has placed you. You can be the one who brings warmth to a cold place. We never know what people are going through, and it may just be the warmth of our embrace that lifts their spirits out of the pit of despair.
Grace & Peace,
Scott
We had another great day worshipping the Lord this past Sunday at Calvary. We had a few visitors and that is always nice. I guess seeing new people means that we are getting the word out about the awesome work that God is still doing in His church. It gives me pause to give thanks to God for calling me to pastor this group of followers, and it gives me hope for the future. We will still be passionately serving the Lord in the years to come!
I want to spend just a few minutes talking about one family that came this past Sunday. I have been in contact with them for almost a year. They are missionaries going to Cambodia. The purpose of their visit was to share with us their biblical vision and godly desire to go to a foreign land with their five precious children. The family I am talking about is the Farmers (Jeremy, Bonnie Ruth, Abby, Isobel, Gloria, Eden and Judson). You learn a lot about a couple's character by watching them as a family, and I can say without hesitation that this is a family of great integrity. Everyone at Calvary thoroughly enjoyed interacting with their well-behaved and fun children. In all, the day spent with the Farmers gave me hope. They were a joy to have with us!
At the evening fellowship and Bible study Jeremy shared his family's vision for not only God's calling on their lives but also how the Church is involved in this great task. He handled the Word well and he wove their mission to Cambodia into the presentation flawlessly. I was both encouraged and challenged at the end of the night. As a family they definitely evidenced the call of God on their lives, and they have the "coupons" to get the job done right.
In the days since I have had a few people approach me about how we can partner with them now! First, we must be praying for them. We can do this most effectively by picking up their prayer card, visiting their website (www.solidjoys.org), and friending them on facebook (Solid Joys - The Farmers in Cambodia). Second, begin praying about supporting them financially. I am praying for wisdom about how as a church we can do this without waiting. Pray with me and I am sure the Lord will show us the way.
Grace & Peace,
Scott
We all forget about things from time-to-time. Sometimes when we forget it is not a big deal, but at other times it can be earth shattering. For instance, if I forget to stop at the store and pick up the gallon of milk Barb asked me to get I can put that in the "no big deal" category. However, if I forget about our anniversary it is pretty much of a guarantee that I can put that in the "you are in big trouble and sleeping on the couch tonight" category!
If you are like me you need reminders, and so I surround myself with stickie notes on my desk (yes, I have them on my computer too) and a white board in my office and alarms that go off on my phone...I even have reminders to remind me to look at my reminders just in case I forget. Does that sound familiar? I hope I'm not the only one.
Now one thing I certainly don't want to forget about is to pray. And so, I try to put things in my office, on my computer and in my car to remind me to pray for family, church and myself (to mention a few). Let me talk about "stuff in my office." Through the years people have given me things for my office and I can basically tell you who gave me what and when. The pictures and paperweights may not match the decor but they definitely serve a purpose. Let me explain...
As I walk around my office something will catch my eye and when I look at it I am reminded of somebody and that in turn reminds me to pray for them. I have found it to be a pretty cool thing to do and it has helped me in my walk with God by praying for you. This is not a solicitation to get "stuff" for my office unless you want to turn a five dollar bill in a pant suit; it is just something I thought I would pass on to you. Maybe you could use it, may be not...I was just thinking.
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers... (Romans 1:9-10a).
Grace & Peace,
Scott
Its cols outside, hey its cold inside; its cold up north and its cold in the south; its cold everywhere! In fact 49 states have snow right now. The only place you can go to escape the snow is Florida...anyone for a road trip? Seriously, I hope you have enjoyed this week of "staying in." I also hope that "cabin fever" has not set in too dramatically for you and your family. If it has, it is easy to cool off, just step outside.
Let me help us get a proper perspective on this cold and snow. Imagine living in a place where the temperatures are 20 to 30 degrees colder, you only get 5 1/2 hours of daylight, and the annual average snowfall is over 7 feet! If you lived in Anchorage, Alaska that would be your world (just ask Mike). We don't life in a cold climate like that and I am pretty sure that by the time you read this the kids will be back in school and most, if not all, of the snow will be gone. I guess I'm writing this to get all of us to count our blessings. We are truly blessed to live in the south. I think we are especially blessed to live in the part of the south where we can look down Highway 9 and see the snow on the mountains in North Carolina, and then turn around a travel 4 hours and be walking on the sandy shores in Myrtle Beach.
We have so much for which to be thankful. Take a moment while reading this and think about seven things for which you are thankful. God ahead, I'll wait. What are the first seven that came to you mind? Now, write them down and spend the next week thanking God for how He has blessed you. Focus on one of those things each day of the week. Change your facebook status each day to let your friends know what you are thanking God for that day.
Let's spend a week just thanking God for the blessings He has showered upon our lives.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! (Psalm 34:3)
Grace & Peace,
Scott
Are you ready to build? I am! We still have many questions that need answers, but we are progressing in the direction of breaking ground very soon. I don't think it is good enough to just come up with an answer to a question, I believe we need to ask why we came up with that answer. In other words, what is driving us to do what we are doing? Here is my attempt to ground us as we continue to make decisions today that will affect us years down the road.
We are not here to build an empire for ourselves. The buildings we build will not be ornate or built for the glory of self. As God leads and provides we will build buildings that are functionally simple. The decisions we make as a church will be driven by keeping our focus on the target: to spread the fame of God. We accomplish this great task through worship that is God-exalting, discipleship that is cross-centered, fellowship that is grace-focused, and outreach that is world-impacting.
Buildings are a means to an end; they are tools we can use; they are not the legacy we leave future generations. No matter how well built a structure is we can be certain that it will decay and crumble one day. But seeking to honor God through worship, discipleship, fellowship and outreach will outlast our lives here on the earth. Just think of all the lives that have been changed by God through Calvary Baptist Church...those who have been saved, the weddings, the baby dedications, and the baptisms.
Our life here is but a temporary existence and I believe we must build buildings that reflect we are not home yet. We are citizens of another country and to sink our roots too deeply into this world is dangerous. Building elaborate structures leads to falling in love with a building and ends in shifting our attention from the heavenly city not build with human hands (cf. Hebrews 11:13-16).
Are we ready to build? Certainly, but let's build with a focus on spreading the honor of God in this world!
Grace & Peace,
Scott
