Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts

Having God as Our Father

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Tuesday, November 03, 2015 11:14 AM

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J. I. Packer begins the nineteenth chapter in his book Knowing God:
“What is a Christian? The question can be answered in many ways, but the richest answer I know is that a Christian is one who has God as Father.”
I would like to think about his definition of a Christian on two levels:
First, not everyone knows God as Father; therefore, we cannot say that everyone is a Christian. The Bible never teaches a universal sonship, like, everyone gets to heaven (the Father’s house according to Jesus in John 14) because of some sort of sincerity test. No, Jesus is the only way to get to the Father, and faith in the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus to save is the only right response to this extraordinary grace (cf. John 14:6). Paul also made it very clear how we become sons and daughters of God:
“For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith” (Galatians 5:26; cf. John 1:12-13).
God becomes our Father through the exclusive path of faith in what Jesus accomplished for us at Calvary. He gave His life in death so we could have eternal life (cf. John 3:16).
Second, God primarily relates to Christians as His children and we should primarily relate to one another then as daughters and sons of God. We must use the same glasses God uses to see one another, through the lens of adoption.
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son…to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).
This means we are in the same family; we are spiritual siblings. And since we are in the same family we should love one another with a pure heart. A “pure heart” love is loving without an agenda or seeking something for selfish reasons from the relationship. It is loving un-hypocritically, authentically, and sacrificially. And I don’t think God wants us fighting over the kingdom toys like selfish two-year-olds.
Do we see one another as God’s sons and daughters? Or do we see one another as competitors? How we treat one another will reveal how we see one another.
Grace & Peace,
Scott

Every Sunday Is Fathers Day!

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Monday, June 15, 2015 3:52 PM

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Father’s Day should be a great day for families! I realize that with our current culture in which we are immersed and with the onslaught of Satan’s constant attacks against the family, this may not be the case for some reading this. The fabric of many families has been ripped to shreds, but it doesn’t mean we need to lose hope. No, we have all the reason in the world to hope and celebrate Father’s Day. You may be scratching your heads and asking, “How so, Scott?”
There is comfort and encouragement for all who have been saved no matter the sate of fatherhood in our lives. You see, when we turned to God in real faith we were immediately adopted into a heavenly home and were given a new Father who is God Almighty. He is worthy of honoring and celebrating on this Father’s Day! If we think about it, isn’t every Sunday Father’s Day? Follow my logic if you will…
We sing His praises and thank Him for being faithful to us. A believer’s worship is Father-focused, not self-focused. Our worship is audible and visible: we sing, we pray, we speak and we obey. We do all of this for the glory of God.
We bring gifts to Him every week. I’ve never been in a Sunday service when an offering has not been taken. Christians freely and joyfully give. It is not under compulsion or the treat of expulsion that we give, we give because our heavenly Father has given so much to us. Our giving is a response to the generosity of God.
We regularly eat a meal with Him. Granted, it is not a typical Sunday meal, and it is one that He has paid for in full (No, wait, that’s what father’s do on Father’s Day when they go out to eat with their family!). However, the Lord’s Supper is completely different because it remembers the great sacrificial price God paid to rescue us from sin and rebellion. Nonetheless it is a meal that is totally focused on our heavenly Father and His Son, our Brother, Jesus Christ.
So let’s celebrate our earthly fathers this Sunday, and let’s especially give honor and praise to our heavenly Father every week!
Happy Father’s Day,
Scott

How to Survive "Snowpocalypse II"

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Tuesday, February 11, 2014 9:50 AM

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Are you surviving “Snowpocalyse II”? I hope so, and just in case you are having a difficult time here are some ideas.
I think these times of being shut in at home gives us opportunities to reconnect with family in ways that the normal week doesn’t present. Here we are, isolated for an extended period of time from the rest of the world except spouse and kids – family. We can choose to wait and get cabin fever or we can use this time to build memories. This is a divinely appointed time to reconnect. But how do we do that? Here are a few suggestions…
Get outside and play! Build a snowman, slide down the hill in the backyard on cookie sheets, design a show castle, play hide-n-seek, make snow angels, or have a snowball fight. If you can imagine it, I believe you can pull it off.
Make some homemade hot chocolate and cookies! Get everyone involved so they feel like they are a part of the team. Everybody should have a job. You may not want to do this close to bedtime because sugar highs don’t make for sleepy children.
Pull out the games and see who comes out the champion! Competition is good and I believe the best place for kids to learn how to win and lose is in the context of the home. Let each of the kids choose a game, set a time limit so you can play all the games, and let it fly. You can even dream up prizes or rewards for the winners.
Produce a home movie. For this one you’ll need to write out a short script, plan for good lighting, get everyone to play a part, shoot the movie, do a little editing (you can find free software on the internet), pop some popcorn, turn out the lights, and have a fun family movie night. Put it on YouTube…who knows, maybe you’ll become famous.
Build a blanket fortress. Blanket forts are a blast. I don’t think you can ever outgrow the fun and adventure of building a fort made out of blankets. Divide into two teams and see who can make the best fort. Invite the other team over for pop tarts and gummy worms. Get out the nerf weapons and attempt a siege of one another’s territory.
Doing things as a family will build wonderful memories into the fabric of your family that you will never forget. These memories are essential to family unity. Kids (and spouses) need to see a side of us that is not so serious, and playing with them kicks open the door for all to see that side of us. We don’t need an official family vacation to let our hair down, kick back, relax, and have some fun.
Grace & Peace,
Scott

Happy Father's Day!

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Monday, June 10, 2013 3:25 PM

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Happy Father’s Day! During a time in our culture when it is not uncommon to hear about fathers who’ve checked out (or maybe who’ve never even checked it to begin with), it is refreshing to hear about and see dads who are attempting to plug in and engage their kids not just in the activities of our society but more importantly in a serious spiritual walk with God.
Dads, I want to encourage and admonish you that it is primarily your responsibility to disciple your own children. It is a high calling to shepherd a child’s heart, and that is exactly what God has called us dads to.
Don’t wait – do it now. If you are the father of young children start shepherding today. You shepherd by protecting, guiding, warning and loving the kids God has richly blessed you with. I encourage and warn you, don’t be a dad who delegates this God-given privilege to others. We will be held responsible for how we raised our kids, nobody else.
It’s never too late to begin. What if you find yourself with teens or older children? You can still have an impact in their lives. You may have to get creative but it can still be done. How? Establish a family devotional time each day. If your kids are out of the house when they come to visit they will see that you are serious about your devotion to Christ. Other ways you can help steer their hearts in the right direction is to text, email, facebook, call or write them. Any small gesture of discipling will have a profound impact in the years to come.
Don’t see this as a burdensome task; see discipling your kids as a joyful quest. We only have one shot so let’s make it the best shot we can. With all your might fervently pray and with all your love shepherd wisely. Make your home a joyful place where your kids will want to be. Make them long to gather around the dinner table even after they leave.
My prayer for us dads is that our kids would outstrip us in following Jesus!
Grace & Peace,
Scott

Golf...How to Hate It & Love It at the Same Time

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Tuesday, May 28, 2013 3:51 PM

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Saturday’s golf tournament was a reminder of why I hate golf and why I love it…at times.
I hate golf because I can’t golf. You see, golf is a mind game as much as it’s a game of athletic prowess. Sure, you need to have ability when it comes to swinging the club and if you’re out of shape then your game will show it. However, you have to remember that you are trying to hit a ball that weighs a little over 1.5 oz and is a little bigger than 1.5 inches in diameter. I can’t even hit an oversized softball! Add to that the fact that they want you to hit that ball on the “sweet spot” of the club you are holding. So here you are, standing on the tee box and you wind up, and with all your might you swing that club to hit that little ball, and what happens? That little ball only goes 20 yards and not in the direction you wanted it to go. Now I’m looking for my ball with the chipmunks. Yes, golf is frustrating, but I know some of you love the game and you’re actually good at it. So I’ll just stick to my once a year game.
But I also love golf. At least I loved it Saturday because I got to spend it with my boys. We were able to spend seven hours of uninterrupted time together and that is a rarity. None of us golf, so the three of us did equally well. One thing I remember about Saturday is that I haven’t laughed with Ben and Blake like that in a long time. Yes, it’s really kind of funny that three grown men who are in relatively good shape can’t hit a golf ball farther than we can throw the chipmunk that was trying to steal our golf balls. I guess what I’m trying to say is that we made a beautiful memory and nothing can take that away from us.
It’s tough when your kids are grown up, living their own lives, taking trips without you, and spending time with their friends on the weekend. As parents we expect that, in fact we want that. But if you spent too much time away from your kids while they were growing up like I did, you long to spend time with them now. That is the boat I’m in. I’ve asked forgiveness from my kids and we’re on track now, but I don’t get to see them like I used to. So when they come into town I try to carve out as much memory building time as I can.
Children don’t raise themselves; they’re just not good at it. They are not equipped to begin life without us. Children need parents. It’s easy for us to neglect our kids. Sure we feed, clothe and shelter them, but that doesn’t mean we’re raising them. They need constant reminders of the importance of God and our love for them. Making memories is one way we as parents can tell our kids how much we love them.
What memory are you making with your kids?
Grace & Peace,
Scott

Christmas Gatherings

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Monday, December 17, 2012 3:42 PM

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We are on the brink of another Christmas. At this point if your shopping is not done you’re out of luck. Sorry, but that’s reality. It’s going to be tough on those of you with little ones. The next couple of nights bedtime is going to turn into an epic battle, and I hope you are ready to get up at 5 am on Christmas morning. Oh don’t I paint a bleak picture. No, not really. These are great times. They are times of gatherings.

Family Gatherings. We need to cherish every time we get our family together. In a flash those babies will be walking down the isle, graduating from high school. Our family is a gift from God. Let me encourage you to stop from the hustle and bustle and enjoy those who call your place “home.” Barb and I have a wall hanging in our home that reads: Home Is Where Your Story Begins.

Church Gatherings. These are precious times for us. We gather for the purpose of worshipping the King of Kings. We strive to honor the One who split human history at His birth. This is Jesus, the God-man who came to live with us and sacrifice Himself for our redemption.

Our gathering last Sunday night was special. The choir did a beautiful job, right? And the children, oh what a blessing it was to see and hear the kids. I’m so thankful for the leadership and the sacrifice of everyone involved to lead us to worship.

The Final Gathering. This is what believers ultimately long for. For some this gathering holds more meaning because of the deposit you’ve made of a loved one. Because of their faith you know they are on the golden shores. They have experienced what all believers desperately long to experience – worshipping Jesus face-to-face.

Our hearts are heavy for those who’ve lost, but we rejoice with you in the knowledge that God’s grace receives them into His embrace. This is a tough time for many we know, and now a very difficult Christmas for the parents and families of those who lost someone in Newtown, CT. The peace we long for now is a peace found by those who died in Christ.

I just wanted to encourage you with these thoughts. Enjoy your gatherings this Christmas season. Hug your family long and hard, worship the King, and share some sweet memories of those you’ve loved and given back to Jesus.

Merry Christmas,
Scott

Putting Selfishness Aside

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Wednesday, August 15, 2012 9:55 AM

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I’ve been really selfish by thinking what I would do without Ben being at Calvary Church to help me. I’ve neglected to think of the impact his move would have on his mother and their daily talks. I’ve not thought long and hard about how this would affect his sisters (when he came home he usually went to their room and sat on their bed just to talk). I’ve also not thought through how this would change his relationship with his brother who was just a short drive away. And I’ve certainly not contemplated too much on the youth at Calvary. Yes, I’ve been extremely selfish. His life must go on; he must follow the Lord’s leading in his life just like the rest of us. I am both sad and enthralled at the same time.

We all must move on, one day at a time. There is much serious work to do for our great God here in Boiling Springs. I cannot forget that…I will not forget that. I have wallowed in my self-pity long enough. We will all be just fine, and moving on will not diminish the effect Ben has had, it will only enhance it. The greatest injustice we can do to his, or anybody’s, ministry is to curl up in a ball and suck our thumb. It’s time to move on, it’s time to make changes, it’s time to take risks and step out by faith. Are you ready? I am. I am so excited about the future of Calvary Church. I am just thrilled that He allows me a consistent, weekly ministry with people I love deeply. I am so thankful and humbled to exalt and adore our heavenly Father with YOU!

Let’s put our selfish interests aside, roll up our sleeves, pour our hearts out to God in prayer, and serve Him together like we’ve never done before. This will take sacrifice of our time, energies and money. We will need to look deep into our selves and repent of pride, we will need to sincerely strive to honor God in everything, and we will need to follow hard after God.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Vacation! AHHHHHH

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Tuesday, July 17, 2012 11:19 AM

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This last week has been a wonderful week of vacation. I appreciated the opportunity to take some time off, sit poolside, and enjoy my family. I’ve discovered that it takes about 2 days to finally feel relaxed. Until then I am a pretty keyed up person. Ok, to be honest an 8 hour day on the interstates of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida don’t help, neither does getting awakened at 3:11 am to the sound of your neighbors fighting, nor witnessing the near drowning of a four year old, but I guess these are things I need to learn to take in stride when leaving the comforts of the small, unincorporated town of Boiling Springs. But there were so many good things during the week…the laughter of adult kids playing Nertz, 24 hours a day for a whole week with Barb, getting to see my mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, nephew, newly married niece, and great nephew, and spending a day at “Harry Potter World.” Yeah, all that stuff is good! Overall the good definitely outweighed the bad!

I missed my Calvary Church family while I was gone and can’t wait to see you Sunday morning! One of the truly soul satisfying, Christ exalting things I do with my life is teaching the Word. Every opportunity I have to open God’s sacred Book and explain what it has to say fills my heart with joy. I hope you will be there as we look at the second thing a lazy person will not do – Start Things (Proverbs 26:14).

That’s all I have for now. I’ll get back to enjoying my view of the pool from five stories high!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Valentine's Day

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Tuesday, February 21, 2012 10:38 AM

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Valentine's Day is actually the celebration of St. Valentine. The problem here is that nobody is in any real agreement as to which St. Valentine is to be celebrated. Two men come to the front: Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni. Both of these men were martyred, but even the reason for their deaths are uncertain. Because there was no romantic sentimentalism associated with either of their death others have embellished the stories to add this flavor. For example, it is said that the Roman Emperor Claudius II tried to convert Valentine to paganism but couldn’t because Valentine was trying to convert the emperor to Christianity. As a result the Roman emperor had him killed, but just before his death Valentine miraculously healed the blind daughter of his Roman jailer. The legend goes on to say that as he was about to be executed he wrote a note to this girl, with whom he had fallen in love, and signed it “From Your Valentine.”

Valentine’s Day as a card-exchanging, candy-gobbling, romantic dinner-eating holiday began with Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th Century when he wrote about mating birds. (What? Exactly!) But the day didn’t really catch on until the Victorian Period in the late 1700’s. This was a particularly prudish time when young men couldn’t, and wouldn’t, express themselves romantically. Along comes a British publisher who wrote The Young Man’s Valentine Writer in which a young man in love could find an appropriate verse to express his feelings. Coinciding with this was a cut in postal rates that made sending cards financially feasible. There you have it!

Obviously the U.S. Greeting Card Association has capitalized on this “holiday” to make it the second largest card-sending day (only behind Christmas). It is estimated that 190 million Valentines cards are sent each year in the U.S., and when you include Valentines exchanged in American classrooms it snowballs to 1 billion Valentines given each year – just in the U.S.!

From ancient folklore to modern practice we celebrate this day as a day of “love.” For me it doesn’t matter where this day originated, it is just another good excuse to tell the one I’ve chosen to give all my romantic love to that I love her desperately. It is one day in the year that I can set aside to let Barb know that without her my life would be incomplete and miserable. February 14th is that yearly reminder that at heart I am a romantic and that I absolutely love being in love with this woman whose made my life enjoyable.

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

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

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

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Monday, September 20, 2010 10:39 PM

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

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

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

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

Looking for a Car,
Scott

Ben's First Sermon!

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Tuesday, August 03, 2010 10:01 PM

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

Our Marriage By the Numbers!

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Tuesday, June 01, 2010 5:56 PM

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

Here is our marriage by the numbers...

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

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

I Love You, Barb,
Scott

Honor Mom in a Meaningful Way

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Tuesday, May 04, 2010 11:12 AM

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

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

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

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

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

Grace & Peace,
Scott

What Are Your Plans?

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Monday, November 23, 2009 11:51 AM

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We are certainly ramping up for the time of year where "busyness" rules the day. Events and plans pull us in so many directions. We will have practices to make, dinners to prepare, functions to attend, and countless shopping trips to make. This is a forewarning that life is just going to get busy, but please don't forget about the priorities God has set for our lives! Three come to this tormented mind...

God. In the mad rush to "get things done" there is not greater target in our lives than the preeminence of God. We are taught throughout Scripture that God must come first before everything and everyone else. "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33), "do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31), and "do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17) are just three verses out of many that point us to the highest priority in our lives--the supremacy of God's glory.

Family. Satan would love to throw a monkey wrench into the works of our families. But remember, God created the family in order to show the world a portrait of His church (read Ephesians 5:22-6:4). A shattered and dysfunctional family is a glory to the greed and passions of the world in which we live, but a family that functions as God designed it from the beginning (and throughout Scripture) is one that will attract others to the abundant grace of a relationship in Christ.

Church. God's church is who we are, not where we go. I believe that the overabundant attention given to buildings and budgets in our day is one leading factor that the church marketing strategy is so prevalent in Christianity. We must never forget the value of the church for which our Savior gave His life. We are the new creation of the living God (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are the Father's sons and daughters whom He finds precious.

Let's not let the urgent needs of a busy lifestyle strip away the priorities God thinks are important. Keeping things in order is not achieved by accident, we must plan and then carefully guard those plans. So, what are your plans?

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Manna!

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Wednesday, November 18, 2009 1:40 PM

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I remember the day when I was told my Mom had cancer, again. I was 20 years old and in college 1,200 miles away. I felt all alone, confused, frustrated and angry. With a multitude of questions I went to see the one person who I believed could provide me with some answers. After I sat down in Mr. Schmidt's office I relayed the news to him, and I will never forget his counsel. He shared a word with me that broke through the layers of emotion and hit home...that word was "manna."

When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, "It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat." (Exodus 16:15 ESV)

He told me that "manna" was the food God provided the Israelites while they wandered in the desert. What's insightful about the word is that it literally means "what is it?" The wandering city dwellers who were on the first camping trip of their lives didn't know where their next meal was coming from. They needed to learn to trust God in everything and this trust included food. When God provided they didn't know what it was so they asked, "What is it?" Not a whole lot of explanation came from God, just instructions on when and how to gather it. This was a daily thing and thus a daily reminder to trust God.

This hit home with me and helped me because I didn't have the answers about my Mom's cancer. But God wanted me to trust Him everyday with the trial our family was facing. I couldn't heal her...I couldn't even be with her. But I knew that God was greater than distance and cancer. I knew I could pray for her and ultimately trust God. I did.

The rest of the story is that God chose to heal Mom this side of heaven. He has done this multiple times in Mom's life, and every time we all have had to learn to trust God with the unknown.

What is the "unknown" in your life? That is the very thing that God wants you to trust Him with. He is our comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3), our strength (Exodus 15:2), and our strong tower (Proverbs 18:10). Run to Him...it's worth the trip!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

A Son Encourages Dad

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Tuesday, October 13, 2009 11:30 AM

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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

A Tale of Two Bachelors

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Tuesday, October 06, 2009 1:57 PM

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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

Conversation with Ben

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Tuesday, September 29, 2009 11:02 AM

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On the way home yesterday (9-28-09) I had a most wonderful conversation with our oldest, Ben. Over the phone I could almost feel him "jumping out of his skin" in enthusiasm about his love for God. Lately I have been praying specifically for our kids to greatly enjoy the presence of God through the gift of His Spirit. I ask the Lord to help them in their journey of faith and to fall in love with Him in a fresh way each day. And this is the answer to prayer I get!

We talked about joy and how our relationship with the Creator greatly affects our outlook on life. We even talked about when the joy begins to fade. But I told him that it never needs to fade. Yes, our expectations of being joyfully enthralled with our heavenly Father teaches us that we cannot sustain that high level of jubilance for an entire lifetime, but I just think that's bunk! God doesn't change...we do. So Ben and I finished our conversation with encouraging one another to "fight for joy"!

I am such a blessed man to be the father of such wonderful children. I stand amazed in the overflowing abundant grace of God.

Grace & Peace,
Scott
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