Thursday Thoughts

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I missed last week's post.  It was a long week and didn't get a chance to. So, since I missed it last week, I am going to make up for it.  Last Thursday January 23rd was a big day for me. It was 30 years ago since I was baptized.  Let me tell you the story...

The summer of 1984, I attended a church camp in Pennsylvania. As the week progressed, kids would go to the pool at night and the whole camp would gather and kids would get baptized and give their lives to Christ.  I saw these kids and it made me want to be baptized too.  I went to the camp director  Brother Don and talked to him about it. After talking to me and my parents, he felt I was not ready and that I was doing it for the wrong reasons.  I was bummed and was upset.  He was right but I did not realize that at the time.

About six months later, I remember getting a call from Brother Don.  He told me that he was going to be in town on a Wednesday night and wanted to see if I still wanted to get baptized.  I said sure.  I remember going down on that Wednesday Night January 23rd in front of all those people and saying that I wanted to follow Jesus.  I remember doing down in the water, getting up out of the water. I remember the sound of the clapping by the crowd that had gathered. 

I remember getting out of my wet clothes, putting on dry ones, drying my hair with a towel.  I had looked foward to getting baptized and felt like once I did it, I would feel very different.  I would huunger for God. I would not want to sin.  I would want to read my bible. I would love church.  But you know what I felt?  I felt wet. That's all.  I was expecting a supernatural experience but it wasn't.

While I have since had some amazing experiences with the Lord, I learned an important truth.  The most important thing isn't seeking an experience;  it is seeking Christ, of putting yourself in a position where God can speak to you. I was responsive to the opportunity God brought my way when I was 14 and that was an important step in my journey.  Yet it was just a step.

Paul writes in Phillippians 3:14-15,  "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  All of us who are maure should take such a few of things."  My hope is that I continue to press on towards God's calling in my life.  My hope for you is that you may press on toward God's calling for your life too, with greater passion, intensity, and love. 

Thursday Thoughts

Well, I haven't given up my commitment yet.  If you missed it, check out the last post but I am endeavoring to write weekly to become more reflective.  I have some random thoughts at the bottom to share but must begin with this ...

If you heard my sermon this past sermon, you heard the story of our comforter.  In case you missed it, for Christmas Kate and I used some of the money we got to buy ourselves a new comforter for our bed. We have looked the past couple months but to no avail. Then the day after Christmas we found one we really liked.  It was white, hotel style, good material.  We brought it home and our bed felt great.  

Well the end of last week, one of the dogs puked on it.  Yes, on the new white comforter.  Kate got the spot out and washed it.  Apparently though, during the washing, something happened I still don't understand. Apparently because it was so big, on the top front of the nice new comforter, there was a spot that melted some and made several large brown spots on the comforter.  

When Kate told me about it, I was just finishing up my sermon for that Sunday on being grateful for what you have and don't have. not get caught up in what doesn't matter.  I must say my initial reaction was not as serene as I would have hoped but soon after I was ok and fine. Its just material right?

So the rest of the story ...

This week I spent time working on those spots but no luck. I washed them hard by hand. Instead of taking a risk with the dryer, I thought I'd let it air dry.  It was very thick so it took a couple days.  Today I got home a little early and decided to put it back on our bed.  Pierson helped me.  I turned it over to the other side and it looked nice. 

Over the course of an hour we ate some, did some wash, cleaned and I was going to get the laptop, sit on my side of the bed and type this blog.  Yet, can you believe this.  Just at the spot where I lay, it was wet.  I wondered what it might be. I bent down to see and found it to be pee. 

Seriously?  Pee?  The dog peed on my bed, through the comforter, and the sheets. Fortunately, we have something to protect the bed.  Needless to say, I was not happy. I took it off, washed it by hand and now it is air drying, Kate graciously made the bed.  I seriously wonder what this comforter did to deserve this.  

Random Thoughts

- Congrats to Ohio State on winning the National Title.  I think of my ohio friends from Lima (Bryan Bucker and Jen Shope) and am happy for you.  

- It's been a good week.  Enjoyed leading the guys group at Hillbilly cabin (for my non-morristown friends, yes, there is such a place), leading bible study at Laurelwood Apts and the men's bible study we started at church last week. Not only did the bible studies have more people than last time, i really enjoyed leading and teaching it. I had prepared but just went with flow. Interestingly, even though we covered the same material, both were very different lessons because of the makeup of the groups.  

- We are studying Phillippians in those studies and I had a thought while I was leading it I never had before. Paul wrote that letter in prison.  He probably wondered outloud at God why he was allowing him to be in prison. But did you know, if Paul didn't go to prison, In addition to the spread of the gospel being advanced, we might not have 1/2 the New Testament we have today.  Amazing reminder that God has a larger plan we cannot see.

- This weekend is a full one. I'm looking forward to joining the youth at Resurrection Friday night in Gatlinburg as well as joining the other 48 folks at Rez Kids Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  PJ and Anna also have their second week of Upward.  

Have a great weekend yourself!

Straining Forward to what is Ahead,

Scott 

Thursday Thoughts

The Blog is Back!!!  Yes, it is 2015 and I have decided to re-engage the blog.  Why?  I'm glad you asked.  It all begins with an experience in the shower ... 

On November 2nd, I was in the shower after some time reading that morning and this verse came to mind from Philippians 3:13, "This one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead."  I don't know about you but sometimes I can remember the stuff I want to forget and forget the things I want to remember.  I can also let life happen to me and not direct my life the way I want it to go.  I decided to think about how I can apply this verse to my life.  How can I strain forward to what is ahead? 

This past Sunday I preached on this subject and used this as an illustration. 

 

There are 52 balls in there representing a each week of the year.  This year will go fast.  Time is short.  The tragedy of life is not that it is short; it's that it's wasted.  I don't want to waste my time, let life happen to me.  I want to take advantage of each day God gives me. 

I challenged folks Sunday to decide things they need to let go of and what are some things they are to lean into in 2015.  I knew I was going to preach this sermon for about a month but still didn't know what exactly what straining forward would look like for me.  This is what I decided on: 

 

Straining Forward In 2015 

 

1) Be More Relational - I am a do-er.  I make lists.  I like to get things done.  Sometimes I can miss life as a result.  Therefore, I am going to make more time to chat, to visit, to call, etc. 

2) Read More - I have about 10 books next to my bed to read.  I want to work through them. I will read my Bible more.  I will make more time to read and be stimulated.  In fact, I actually read a small book the other night in bed. That was good progress. 

3) Write Weekly - I like to write but don't do it nearly enough. I speak more than I write.  I want to have more time to think and be reflective in life.  I plan on writing on Thursdays so I invite you to come back. 

These are my three things to strain ahead toward.  I invite you to join me in this journey this year.  Today is January 8th. Only 357 days to go this year. Make the most of your days!

Over and Out

If you have been following this blog for almost 2 years, I applaud you. The Helter Skelter nature of my blogging this year has made me decide to call it quits. I might post something when I have something worthwhile but for the most part, besides my family and work, I just don't have the energy to keep up the blog.

It has been a helpful way for me to journal about my experiences that otherwise I would not have done. Keeping up on my blog had become a chore and I decided I don't want to do it at this time. Perhaps, if the joy for blogging comes back, I will start up again and let you know.

My final words... enjoy your life while it's happening.

Sampson Sunday School

I am still alive. This is proof. I do more than make videos. Will write more later. Thanks Liz for the Video.

VBS Video

Liz Neil in our chuch made this video. It gives you a snapshot of what happened this week.

Heroes Sunday School Video

Last Sunday we began a summer sunday school program for kids called Heroes. We are looking at Old Testament Characters each week. On top of that, we are finishing Bible School this week. And Kate and I leave for camp next week. Therefore, we are tired. But I have had fun leading the singing.

Intercessory Video Prayer

This is a video I made to end the service tomorrow. I love this song. I am encouraging people to pray for our city.

Our Memorial Day Weekend

We had a great weekend. I was off from church and we did a lot of stuff including going to Chattangooga, waterpad, campout, smores, etc. Here is a snapshot of the weekend.

What's Going on?

Last week I participated in Career Day at Aiden and Max's school. Parents each manned a booth in the gym where we talked about our jobs for 5 minutes to rotating kids groups. I was the only pastor represented and tried to make my job sound as interesting as possible as compared to the other jobs. I was amazed at how many kids think pastors work only a day or two a week and were surprized by the amount of education we receive. Next year I need to have a cool giveaway like some of the other parents did.

A couple weeks ago we went to a party for Isaac, a kid from church and we are friends with his parents. It was based on a Heroes theme. These are some pictures from the party.

Last Wednesday we had a family Fun Night at Fun Expedition where we could ride go carts, play video games, etc to celebrate the end of school. The kids loved it and I must admit, I did too. They even gave me a free game card to play the games since I was a pastor. I should have said that to the kids at the career fair that being a pastor has its privledges.

Last night we celebrated school being out by lighting a fire in the fire pit and making smores.

Today I am heading out to go golfing and have a little fun for myself. I have this Sunday off and I am looking forward to it. Life has been stressful at work because we are in staff transition which has lead to some uncertainty and each of us picking up the slack. I anticipate in the next 2 months things should be worked out but the past few months has had its challenges.

Bulgarian Mission Team from FUMC

A team from our church left for a 10 day mission trip to Bulgaria last week. Here is a picture from their blog. They are having a great experience. You can check them out by clicking here.

A Growing Church

Some pictures are coming later. This is for my next newsletter ...

Becoming a Growing Church

The mission of our church is “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ by Reaching, Growing and Serving”. Last week I began a three week series on looking at our mission statement as a church and what it means for us personally to reach out to people with the love of Christ. In this issue I will talk about becoming a growing church. A “Growing” church can mean many things to many people; growing in attendance, growing in buildings, growing in finances. As a church we have defined growing as growing deeper in our relationships with God and one another.

A number of years ago a storm came through my neighborhood and uprooted some trees and did damage to homes. What was surprising were some trees that I thought had deep root systems that had come up and other trees looked like nothing ever happened. Life has a way of bringing storms our way and the aftermath of those storms reveal how well rooted we are. We find in the book of Acts the early church was committed to each other and to growing deeper with God. Luke writes in Acts 2:42 that, "They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." He could have said they were committed to deepening themselves in the truth of God’s Word and committed to one another. Can that be said of you? Do you have a hunger for God and knowing his Word every day? Are spiritual disciplines that vital to your daily life? My hope as a pastor is that your desire for God increases. If you find yourself in a season of life when that desire for God is lacking or non-existent, pray for the desire to have the desire for God. God works with us where we are, not where we are not.

Secondly, when was the last time you had someone from the church over to your house for a social engagement or just to have coffee? God’s desire for us is not just to go to church but to be the church to one another. Luke says they met daily together. At a recent conference I heard a speaker share a story of a guy in his church who was leaving. This guy had been part of a gang and he told the pastor he was leaving church because he thought the church was going to be like a Christian gang. He thought the church would be family like his former gang and he was disappointed. In his gang they were committed to each other and had his back. That wasn’t his experience with church. God’s desire for us is to be that kind of group in the church. It is more than people just knowing your name and your occupation. It is to have soul-friends, where each person knows one another’s needs. These friends not only encourage you but hold you accountable in walking with God. Do you have Christian brothers or sisters like that? You can only have these kind of relationships in small groups. If you are in a group, I encourage you to be vulnerable and take initiative in becoming that kind of Christian. It takes some work but I know many who would testify that it’s worth it.

That is what it means to be a growing church, not just in numbers on Sundays but in love for God and for one another that is practically lived out week by week.

What does it mean to reach?

Yes, I am still alive. Work has been especially busy and I feel like I am continually behind, including blogging. This is from an upcoming newsletter article for my church.

Last week four of us from church attended the Orange Conference in Atlanta Georgia to experience worship and teaching with 4000 other like minded folks. It was a great conference. The first night we heard a talk by Reggie Joiner about the prodigal son story from Luke 15. That story is so familiar to us in the church that it often looses its power. While many think the main character in the story is the prodigal son, in the context of Luke 15, it presents a contrast of the other two characters: the loving father or the elder brother. Joiner explained that these are two approaches to sinners and invited us to examine our hearts: Are we more like the loving father or the elder brother?

Loving Fathers… Elder Brothers…
Welcome Sinners Condemn Sinners
Are preoccupied with those who are missing Are preoccupied with themselves
Operate from a context of forgiveness Operate from a context of shame
Throw Parties Throw Fits
Keep the lights on as long as it takes Close the door and turn off the lights

During Joiners’ talk, while I like to think of myself as like the loving father, I realized that I have a lot of the elder brother still in me. Too often I judge people more by how they look and speak than by “the content of their character”. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” That means before we were cleaned up and presentable before God, God loved us and died for us. If you and I are to become like Christ, that means we must love people, warts and all. It means more than being nice. It means being intentional and taking initiative in reaching out to people who need Christ. The question we all have to ask ourselves if we are disciples of Jesus, are we more like loving fathers or elder brothers?

What Women and Men Want

Sorry for the lack of blogging. I came back from vacation and Got hit with a bunch of stuff. On top of that I got Sick. I am beginning to be on the mend.

Yesterday I gutted out a sermon called "What Women Want". It is part of a series I am doing on the marriage. Not being a woman, preaching that sermon is a challenge. This week I am preaching on what men want. I have had several women tell me yesterday that they don't need to come next week since they already know what men want (haha). I found this clip that I thought I might open up my sermon with Sunday to take it from a humorous angle.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X4MwbVf5OA

Some Pictures From Hilton Head

I must say we had a great vacation. The Weather was in the 70's, I got to golf, we ate well, went to the beach, rode bikes. I could have stayed another week easy. Here are some pictures of our trip.

Htting The Road

Tomorrow morning real early Kate and I are going on a vacation for spring break. I must say the drive I am not looking forward to but I am looking forward to getting out of town. A generous family in the church offered us their condo at Hilton Head for a week. Took me about 2 seconds to accept. I will not be blogging for at least a week, which will probably be no different than if I stayed home.

Our Keyboard Player

Our Keyboard player Tim Horner for our Contemporary Service was once a professional wrestler. This was described by one person as the best wrestling of his career. He is a great guy.

For Aaron Only

Dear Aaron,

You will be proud of me. I am blogging for the second time in Java Garden, a local coffee shop. It feels good to have a scone, coffee, and read in some peace. I hope to add it to my regular schedule.

My battery though is about to die. No plug nearby.

Gotta go.

Scott

Upward in Morristown

Our kids really enjoyed the Upward basketball program at our church this year. It was the first year and so we were just getting this program going and Maggie wanted to participate but Max was very hestitant. It was quite fun seeing them learn how to play and I felt it reallyl helped their self esteem. Max in particular had so much fun playing. He was so animated. Maggie worked hard and I was so proud that she memorized the scripture verse almost every week.
Here are some pictures from the season.

At the end of the season we had a celebration with a Magician. He actually Picked Max out of the crowd and had him come forward. He got some gifts and he was so excited. I wish you could have seen him.

Februrary Birthdays

About a month ago we celebrated Aiden's birthday. We were sick mostly on his birthday but here he is cutting the cake and blowing out the candles. A couple weeks later I took Aiden and a couple of his friends to see the SpiderWick Chronicles.

Max's birthday was on a sunday and for his party we went to the local bowling alley for a bowling party. It was a lot of fun. Max got several gifts, mostly bionicles. He really enjoyed the Wii game I got him of Star Wars Lego game. I must admit, it is awesome. It is amazing how far video games have come.

For Aiden's birthday he was given Happy Feet Wii game by a friend and that hast been a very fun game for us to play. We have the new TV from Christmas and it works very well with the video games.