Preparing for Worship

Dear Worshipers,

Last week we begin a short review of the vision God has given our worship ministries. We considered some different views with regard to responding to God and what a worship lifestyle looks like. I would like to expand on the latter a little farther today but first allow me to remind you again of our vision statement.

Our Worship Ministries exist to nurture worship as a lifestyle
characterized by sincere responses to God's self-revelations.

If you have not yet read Pastor David’s annual report I want to encourage you to do so. Several paragraphs near the end it is dedicated to some honest discussion of the worship services of our church. The Elders have appointed a subcommittee to define the core values of our worship “that are representative of Scripture and matched to our corporate personality”. I appreciate your prayers as I chair this committee.

As you will readily see, his comments regard our worship services, but our vision takes into account much more than that. What happens in our services is only a part of our expression of worship, but it is a very significant one. Our corporate worship both demonstrated the strength of our private worship, and prepares us for our public worship. Let us focus on the latter (public) aspect, and save the former (private) for next week.

I was reading last week and came across this phrase, "The worship service is a rehearsal for the everyday life of worship." That puts a little different spin on it. When we gather for corporate worship, we are actually preparing (rehearsing) for the real "performance." That puts all of our worship (service) preparation in a whole new light. We are rehearsing to rehearse our worship. Did you get that? Let me say it a slightly different way. When we rehearse our worship (service) leadership, we are actually preparing to rehearse our worship life beyond the service.

This also gives a whole new meaning to the word "nurture" describing the active intent of all we share with the church gathered. It is the answer to our prayers as we pray for God to foster a life of worship as a result of our corporate worship. It is what Solomon was asking the Lord to do in His people when he dedicated the Temple.

As Solomon prayed there are a number of phrases that speak of this life of worship. They are spoken as Solomon’s heart for a people re-inclined to God. He admitted they would turn away, as we all do being “prone to wander” as the hymn writer said, but asked God simply to draw them back to Himself by helping them live lives of worship when they returned. These are some of the phrases in his lengthy prayer in I Kings. (From The Message)

“as they sincerely live in obedience to Your way”

“careful to live obediently in My presence”

“so that they’ll live before You in lifelong reverent and believing obedience”

“so that people all over the world will know who You are and what You’re like and will live in reverent obedience before You, just Your own people Israel do”

These were Solomon’s prayers at one of the most significant corporate worship gatherings in the Old Testament, the dedication of the Temple. God, when Your people turn back to worship You, help them to live lives of worship. Do you see the common word which I have italicized there-live?

I love that phrase “lifelong reverent and believing obedience”. Solomon obviously liked it too, and being the wisest man on earth must have known God liked it as well. That was his prayer for the worshipper who chose to incline themselves to the Lord. That could be our prayer as well.

Lord, when any of Your people realize they are in sin and turn back to You, hear them from heaven and help them to live before You in lifelong reverent and believing obedience. Help them to live lives of worship, walking in Your way, and practicing Your presence. Do this every time we gather for corporate worship, and do it all the while we are dispersed to worship as well. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

What's the point?

Dear Worshipers,

A lot of folks work really hard in our worship ministries. From AV techs to choir members, worship team vocalists and instrumentalists to soloists, our sacrifice of corporate praise is expressed in many ways. But what is the point of all this labor? What are we trying to accomplish?

Each year as we begin again together I like to remind us of the vision God has given for our worship ministries.

Our Worship Ministries exist to nurture worship as a lifestyle
characterized by sincere responses to God's self-revelations.

This is a daunting task, one that is truly beyond our ability to accomplish, for we are far to ordinary. I am reminded on this on a daily basis. However, the God we serve is far from ordinary; He is extraordinary. As we yield to the Lord, He empowers us to fulfill His purposes in our lives, individually and corporately.

Near the end of last year I was reading two different books which provided solid reasoning for the vision we share: Facedown by Matt Redman (opening words) and Worship - A Way of Life Patrick Kavanaugh. I would heartily recommend both to you as you continue to grow in your pursuit of a life of worship. I want to share a few words from each to continue to expand our understanding and expression of worship as a lifestyle.

Matt Redman’s book opens like this.

When we face up to the glory of God, we soon find ourselves facedown in worship. To worship facedown is the ultimate outward sign of inner reverence.

Every posture in worship says something of both the worshipper and the One being gloried in. The raising of hands tells of a soul stretched out high in praise and the worth of the One being exalted. Joyful dancing interprets a grateful heart and points in adoration to the source of that joy. When it comes to expressing our worship, what we do on the outside is a key reflection of what’s taking place on the inside. Out of the overflow of our heart we speak and sing, we dance, and we bow. God reveals and we respond. [emphasis mine] God shines and we reflect. In the very same way, facedown worship is the overflow of a heart humbled and amazed by the glory of God…

Patrick Kavanaugh offers a very reasoned development of this response that is worship. In the last page of the book he shared this analogy which I thought was a wonderful picture for us to consider.

A true relationship does not limit expression merely to certain times and preplanned places. Suppose I kissed my wife only once each week in a specific place in our house. If you observed such an odd ritual, you would surely conclude that the relationship between my wife and me must be rather formal and cold.

Of course I kiss my wife when she wakes up, and when she walks down the hall, and when she is working in the kitchen, and when she sits at the table. There is no “standard time and place” for a husband to kiss his wife. If they truly love each other, then he delights in giving her a kiss and she delights in receiving it.

So it is-even more so!-in our relationship with the Lord…

This analogy is strengthened with the knowledge that the most common word translated for worship in the New Testament is proskuneo, which means “to kiss toward.”

This is our goal, individually and corporately. Each of us is growing in this discipline of worship. Some of you have resolved even this year to pour your energies into your pursuit of God, and may find yourself frustrated. Kavanaugh offers this words near the close of his book as an encouragement to the individual worshipper in their worship of God, but I believe we can receive these words as a ministry as well. “Like any new habit or discipline, there is a need for persistence-but not guilt.”

Persist in your worship my friends, and it will become your way of life. As we persist together, it will also characterize the ministry we share. To God alone be the glory.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Resolutions or Real Solutions

Dear Worshipers,

Just a few weeks into the New Year and you may be wondering what you were thinking when you made some of the resolutions that seemed like such a good idea only a few weeks ago. Maybe you decided to read through the Bible, but you have missed a couple of days and are now feeling overwhelmed with the idea of reading 110 chapters just to catch up. Maybe you had hoped to loose a few unwanted pounds, but the scale seems to indicate that you weight is the same as it was on January 1. Maybe there was a long overdue phone call you decided to make early in the year that remains unmade. Or maybe there is something else.

The reality of the New Year is setting in and it seems to be shaping up much like the old one. There are habits to develop, and others to break, as well as things to accomplish. Yet the resolutions you made do not seem to be helping you. What you need is real solutions. And you know who has them? GOD! [I know, you already knew that. But I wanted to remind you.]

Every year since sometime back in the late 90’s [that seems strange to say] while we were serving a church in Nebraska, Sarah and I have had what has know become known as our Annual Planning Day. This is a day where we separate from our normal schedule and reflect on our plans for the New Year. Though the planning has much to do with budget and calendar issues, we also discuss specifics of spiritual formation as well.

Now, in case you are thinking, “I would like to get away for a day and plan my year”, let me encourage you. It does take a day, or rather not all at once. For Sarah and I, that day is the culmination of working last years plan successfully or not and reevaluating it, finding better solutions, and setting it in motion. But really more than a day, this is a lifestyle. Just like what you probably need is more than a resolution, but some real solutions.

You have heard this phrase, “Plan Your Work, Work Your Plan”. But you have to be certain to let God guide this process. An old friend once said to me "We worship our work, we work at our play, we play at our worship". That is the danger if you let your life priorities get out of balance.

I saw a little story on ABC News last week titled “24/7 Lifestyle”. I was immediately curios because this is my vision for the worship of God. It was about companies who are letting their employees work whenever they want, wherever they want, as long as they get it done. You might think that less work gets done, but the employees end up working even more. They are working all the time, easily putting in 60-70 hour weeks, with many 12-14 hour days. The freedom to take their work with them anywhere has left many taking it with them everywhere.

While I am not advocating that kind of lifestyle for anyone, I am advocating that kind of commitment. Live your life resolved to worship the Lord 24/7. But don’t just resolve to do it, set in place some real solutions that will help you attain that goal. Maybe you need to get to bed earlier so that you can wake up earlier to get that Bible reading done before the day really gets going. Maybe you need to fast a couple meals a week, spending concerted time with the Lord as He fills your soul with Himself, instead of your stomach with food. Maybe you need to organize your thoughts before the Lord for that phone call, humble yourself and pick up the phone.

Carve some time out with the Lord in the next week and evaluate your plans for the year. Where is God in them? Or rather, where do you plans put you in relation to God? Make it your intent to live a lifestyle of worship, one that is constantly responding to the glory of God. Set in motion some real solutions that will help you live that way, and set your plan in motion.

If you will resolve to let God reveal His plan for you and that you will work diligently at whatever He places before you, you will have some real solutions coming your way that will revolutionize your New Year, for the glory of God, and your good.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

How’s Your Vision?

Dear Worshipers,

Let me ask you a question. Do you see yourself in this picture? I sure hope you do, because I do. That is, I see you in this picture. This image is the new symbol-brand-logo for our Worship Ministries created for us by Andy Moore. THANK YOU ANDY!

There are so many aspects of this brand I would like to outline for you. Do you see the W and the V? That could stand for West Virginia or world vision, but for me it also represents Worship is a Verb. Do you know why there our several figures in the image? An early concept included a single figure, but our worship as a church as a corporate dimension to it. I particularly like that three is more than a couple, and represents a family. We are a family of worshippers, made up of many families and other units of worshippers. Did you notice that the word is the same font and the colors the same from our Alliance brand “Living the Call Together”? This connects us with the larger vision of our Alliance family, while showing our unique part of it.

There are many other aspects of this that we could explore, but I want to ask you the question again, “Do you see yourself in this picture?” The vision of our Worship Ministries is that we “exist to nurture worship as a lifestyle characterized by sincere responses to God’s self-revelations.” God reveals Himself, we respond. That is worship. And God reveals Himself in a number of different ways: through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, the church, the cross, communion, etc. Too many to capture in a simple logo, as if it could be captured in a complex one either.
When God reveals Himself, what is your response? The reality is your response will not be a cookie cutter version of the image you see here. Instead, it will be your sincere reaction to all that God has shown Himself to be in that moment. Your demonstration of worship may will look different than the figures you see, but the posture will be the same. You will be lifted up, exalting the Most High God, even if you find yourself on your face in tears, undone. Your focus will be on Him and nothing else. You may be aware of your surroundings, including your partners in the journey, but they are less significant the the object of your affection, the Lord Almighty.

That is the vision the Lord has given me for worship. A vision where we are focused on Him, responding to what He has shown us, in every situation, every circumstance, every moment. A vision that is consuming and captivating, as certainly as it is convicting.

Let me ask you the question one last time. Do you see yourself in this picture? I certainly hope so.

In Christ,
Pastor Scott

Unadorning to Adorn

Dear Worshipers,

It occurred to me the other day while taking Christmas decorations down that in order to adorn my home for the “ordinary” season which we will soon enter, I have to unadorn. It then occurred to me that unadorn was not a word, so let me clarify. In order to dech my halls for the after Christmas season, I had to first undeck them. Wait a minute? That’s not a word either.

O.K., let me try this again. We are talking about taking off one thing off and putting on another. Imagine how silly it would be to just put all your other stuff back up on top of the Christmas stuff, if it would even be possible. You would not imagine doing that, would you? I mean really. You change outfits for a different season, not simply put a new on top of the old. This is pretty obvious stuff.

Then the Lord reminded me of the spiritual principle at work here. “You have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” Colossians 3:9b-10 Oh, yes!

As I enter the New Year, I find myself asking, “What do I want to put on this year?” Here’s a good list to start clothing ourselves from “as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved”: “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 1Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14.

Then I realized, “I can not put those things on over my current wardrobe.” I cannot just add to my life. I must first take away. Unadorn, if you will. Some of the things I might be guilty of would include “sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry, anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from my lips.” Colossians 3:5b, 8b That was my old life. I used to walk in those ways. And so did you. Let’s not lie to each other.

As you enter the New Year. Take some time to ask the Lord what He wants to adorn your life with this year. As you do, listen for what He is telling you to strip off. Let Him help you and be prepared to be clothed with the peace of Christ your Lord, now and throughout the year.

Don’t just adorn, unadorn.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

DO NOT OPEN UNTIL THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS!

Dear Worshipers,

I pray you had a very, merry Christmas, and am praying that God will bless you as we enter the New Year together ever tuning our hearts to sing His grace.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Six Shopping Days Until Christmas

Dear Worshipers,

As I read to Samuel’s second grade class yesterday I made a passing comment about the Christmas season. I was instructing them that we are currently in the season of Advent, that period stretching four Sundays and through Christmas Eve leading us up to Christmas. Advent is the first season of the liturgical year. I continued saying that Christmas in the church year runs from Christmas [December 25] through Epiphany {January 6]. I could tell from the look on their puzzled faces that many of them had never heard of this sequence. For that reason, I wanted to take a few minutes today to familiarize you with it, in the hopes that it may renew your savoring of this season, which may have been partially robbed by the consumerism of our culture.

Among all the festivals and holidays of the Christian Church year, Christmas remains the most observed and most popular. Of course, much of that popularity, especially in the West, is due to the commercial promotion of the holiday. In many areas of the world, it is still a rather insignificant holiday even among Christians. Still, the Christmas story captures the heart in a way that transcends all the commercial hype. [From CRI/Voice Institute, © Dennis Bratcher. The remainder of this article can be found by Ctrl+Clicking this link. The Christmas Season Here you will find some other resources that may aid your Christmas worship.]

I said to the second graders, “Christmas, for most people unfortunately, lasts for about fifteen minutes on the morning of December 25th.” That is the case for so many folks. Having rushed around the days and weeks before Christmas to get gifts to leave loved ones dazzled leaves us feeling a little bit frazzled. The Christmas season can capture “the heart in a way that transcends all the commercial hype”, but only if we stop long enough to be captured by it.

This will look different for each of you and your families, but I want to encourage you to make the time, beginning on Christmas day if not before, to ponder the meaning of this season. God became one of us. He made a personal connection for us through His Son. He demonstrated His desire and ability to get personally involved in our lives.

Pastor David has been encouraging us these last few weeks to consider “The Miracle of Christmas”. [You can view clips of his Advent series at Advent Messages.] Many talk about Christmas being a magical season, yet that “magic” wears off too quickly for most. The miracle lingers for those who consider the meaning behind the season. Don’t you figure the shepherds talked about that “Silent Night” the rest of their lives? The angels probably recall with amazement the birth they “heralded” so long ago? I am certain the magi were filled with wonder for the “Star of royal beauty bright” long after they had arrived back at home. More on the Magi in a few weeks in the next “Tuning” on January 2.


In Christ, Pastor Scott

In Need of Rescue

Dear Worshipers,

I think one of the things that really amazes me about the Christmas story is how unaware we are that we are in need of rescue. God on the other hand was totally aware. Before we could even realize our need He has already made our rescue available through the sending of His only Son. All that is required for us to do is make the call.

This was brought home to me this morning. I was going around town taking down the roadside signs that I had scattered in various places. [If you put any out, thank you and please be certain to get them down soon.] I ended up going by the church to take down the banners as well. I had Josiah, our 19 month old, with me and figured since it was still pretty cold I would leave him strapped in with the van running so that he would not get cold. You see where this is going.

I returned to the van a few minutes later to retrieve a tool to finish the job and realized the van was locked. I believe it must have a feature I did not know about that locks the doors after a period of time if the van is running. That is the only explanation I can imagine, other than my somehow locking the doors accidently on my way out of the van. All that to say, I needed rescued, or more accurately Josiah did.

I called AAA but as I was on hold I decided to try a different course. My sense of urgency was heightened as I watched Josiah in tears inside the van wondering why I was not coming to his aid. I believe the Lord brought Bill Rumble to mind. I figured he could help, or would know the fastest course of assistance. I was right. He informed me that the fire department will come and unlock your car if you have a child inside.

Once I swallowed my pride, I made the call. I could here the sirens even before the 911 dispatcher was finished talking to me. I was humbled as four firefighters jumped out and rescued my son in a matter of seconds. Almost before I could sign the waiver excusing them of potential damage to the vehicle, the door was open. They loaded up with smiles on their faces even before I could calm Josiah's tears.

As I sat in the front seat holding Josiah and recovering from the ordeal, I reflected on the rescue. The system was already in place when I made the call. The response was immediate. The situation was remedied quickly with no pain to me other than a little humility. The feeling of resolution was sweet.

The parallels to the work of our Rescuer, Christ Jesus, were so clear to me this morning. By coming at Christmas, then dying at Easter, He has instituted a system by which we can be rescued from our sin. This was in place long before we could call on Him. His reponse is immediate when we call. He remedies our situation. The resolution He brings is sweet.

All this, and then another thing occurred to me even as I was writing. I placed the call, and Josiah was rescued. Who in your life are your calling out to the Rescuer for? They are not aware of their need but you are. Ultimately, they will have to turn to Christ, but you can call out to Him on their behalf.

I am thankful that Jesus is my Rescuer and that He is poised to jump into action whenever a call comes in, whether on my behalf or anyone else’s.

In Christ,
Pastor Scott

PRODUCTION WEEK

Dear Worshipers,

That is the term I use for this busy week leading up to a major production. If you combine the time each person will sacrifice at rehearsal this week it will literally be in the hundreds of hours. Think of what you could do if someone gave you a few hundred hours to work on something. Think of what you could produce if you had 300 hours of concentrated effort to put into a project. Anyone could accomplish something of worth in that amount of time, if focused on a profitable outcome, right? Not without the Lord.

We are focusing on producing this week. Oh, certainly we are talking about the Christmas musical, but I am talking about much more. I am talking about the greatest product of the week which is not what the Lord will do through us but what He wants to do in us. We want to work on all these details so that we can communicate the wonderful message of Jesus clearly and convincingly, but even then, apart from Him it is all for naught. So let us pray for what we desire for Him to do in others, but ponder what He is doing is us.

Remember Jesus’ words in John 15:5b “If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Apart from the Lord we can do nothing. A lot of talent, a lot of time, a lot of nothing apart from Him. I do not want to waste this week or it’s efforts, so I commit right now in the midst of everything I have to do and delegate to hold to the instruction in the first part of this verse.

Remaining. That is not so easy to do. I hit the snooze button a few too many times this morning and did not have the time to spend with the Lord that I desire. Remaining is hard to do without time. This is a busy week, but if I do not find the time to remain in Jesus’ how can I hope to bear the fruit He desires. The same is true for you.

I know that I have many of you out at rehearsals several times this production week, but without some time spent with Jesus’ you too will be hard pressed to produce what He desires. And what it is that He desires to produce in you? If you take a few minutes to consider this I think I know He will show you. You remember the list: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Patience is my focus this week. What is yours?

Of course, we are trusting God to do something miraculous through us this Sunday night. I trust Him for His revelation of Himself to all of us, and that some will respond by turning to Him for the first time, understanding the greatness of our God, and their need of the Savior whose name is Jesus. But I also trust Him to do something in us-in me, in you. I am honestly probably more excited about that because I know that the greatest blessing of this musical is for those who are producing it, because the Lord is using that process to produce something in us we probably were not thinking about when we signed on.

Merry Christmas and Happy Producing!

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Personal Connection

Dear Worshipers,

On Sunday, the new liturgical year begins with the first Sunday of Advent. The theme of our approach to Christmas this year is “Personal Connection”. During this season of anticipating our celebration of the coming of our Lord we will be utilizing a video to help us enter into this amazing story in a fresh, new way. This is the text of the narration.

From the beginning of time, they’ve said He was an observer watching as humanity went about its business. They’ve said He doesn’t care. They’ve even said He doesn’t exist. But when the time was right God got personally involved.
Christmas celebrates the event that forever changed humanity’s relationship with the Divine – the day God got personally involved in the form of a helpless baby. This Christmas we invite you to know the God of personal connection.

CTRL + Click here to view a preview of the video we will show through the Advent season culminating on Christmas Eve at our 8 p.m. service. [You will need an internet connection to do this.] We purchased this from a Christian media company called Midnight Oil, and the link takes you to their website where you will preview the streamed version, a much lower quality than what we will show in service, but you can get the idea. Their slogan is “Telling the Story in a New Light”. I believe that is exactly what they have done with this short piece.

You may ask why I am telling you about all these service details. It is because I want you to use this tool to make a personal connection with someone. You can copy the sentence above and paste it in an email. Your friend should be able to view the video. Invite them to the Christmas Eve service, with you. It is through these personal connections that people come to know the Lord. It is likely that your story of redemption has personal connections written all over it, and I do not mean only the personal connection to God through Jesus Christ.

We are also hoping to put the link on the home site of our webpage, so you could wait for that, and then direct people there using the handy “Worship With” cards available in the foyer. We are working to have a number of spots run on television featuring a personalized 30 second version of the video. The one I have linked is 56 seconds and not personalized.

If it seems like we are going through a lot of trouble to get this thing seen, that would be because we are. It is a powerful, and uplifting little piece that I believe the Lord will use in a number of lives this season. Will you help us get the word out? There is no other name worth sharing, no one better to introduce your friends and family to this Advent season than Jesus. Please take advantage of these opportunities.
In Christ, Pastor Scott

GIVE THANKS, AGAIN

Dear Worshipers,

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136.1 (NIV)

Sometimes it is easy to be thankful. Everything’s going your way. Finances are in order. Family is getting along. Friends are helpful, happy and healthy. Fears are stilled. It is easy in those moments to give thanks to the Lord, primary because you can see His goodness so clearly.

Other times you might find yourself having a difficult time being thankful. Checkbook is out of balance. Children are fighting. Companions are sad and sick. Concerns are looming. In these moments it can be very difficult to thank the Lord, primarily because you might not be able to see His goodness as clearly, if at all.

But let us always remember the last part of the verse. His love endures forever. It may look differently at times, but it endures. It may seem near sometimes and far away at others, but it still endures. It never fails. Forever is a really long time.

I was clinging to this just over a year ago as I drove with Sarah to Charleston to see my father-in-law. Having been transferred there from Beckley where they had started angioplasty, he had experienced a heart attack and in surgery undergoing a quadruple bypass. As I drove down I-79 we prayed, some together, some separately. All the while we were trusting in God’s enduring love. We hoped we would arrive to find that he had come through surgery beautifully, that he had not bled though he had been on blood thinners just days before, that the Lord was going to give him a little more time with us here.

Chances of all that happening were not great. A few doctors at WVU told him last spring they would not do the surgery because they felt as though he could not survive it. We hoped for the best, but feared the worst.

While we drove, I was thanking God for His faithful love. Thanking Him that no matter what happened I knew it was the best. Thanking him that we were close enough to get there quickly. Thanking Him for the times I had shared with Sarah’s dad. I praise God that I was able to see His goodness even in the uncertainty of the situation.

I praise God that all we prayed for He gave us. Sarah’s father came through “beautifully”, the doctors words. He did not bleed. Praise the Lord! That we would have a chance to talk to him even later that day, and then the next. He recovered well from that episode, and now we are trusting God for the next.

Her father will have surgery on his carotid artery next week. It is a high risk procedure. His blood oxygen level is below where it should be for this procedure. He is concerned he will have a stroke and suffer the consequences through the balance of his life, should he live.

There is much uncertainty, so we must have much faith. We are praying and trusting and thanking God for the last year with Sarah’s dad, and hope to have another by God’s grace. The last year has been an expression of His love to us. We can see that clearly now.

Next time you face some uncertainty, maybe later today. Thank God. Thank God right now that when that time comes you are confident His love will be faithful. Thank God for the way you are experiencing that today.

Let us give thanks to the Lord, for He certainly is good. His faithful love endures forever.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Preparing for Heaven: Getting to Know Jesus

Dear Worshipers,

As I drove across campus this morning on my way to church, I was praying. I noticed a young man walking with his Vault energy drink in his hand and his backpack loaded with the days necessary supplies. It occurred to me that he seemed prepared for the day. Then the Lord prompted me with the question, “Is he prepared for eternity?”

That’s been on my mind a lot lately with Pastor David taking us through this series on heaven. In that time I have conducted the funeral of a long-time family friend, attended another in our church, and talked with a man in his late 30’s who is likely dying from an inoperable brain tumor. Being reminded that this life comes to an end prepares you for the next, if you are willing.

I thought of that young man on campus, and then all the others that I drove past. I prayed for them. I wonder who it is in their lives that Jesus wants to use to introduce Himself. I wonder who in your lives Jesus wants to introduce Himself to through YOU.

There are any number of people in your circle of influence that are not ready for eternity. They are not ready to meet their Maker and answer the question of why they did not accept the free gift of eternal life available in Jesus Christ. They have not made heaven their home.

As wonderful as it is to be able to look forward to heaven, how much more wonderful would it be to be able to take as many of those in your circle with you? To know they will be there. How can you know unless you ask them? How do you get the “forever” dialogue started? What open doors exist to even begin that conversation? I am glad I asked.

Jesus. No Other Name. I trust you have noticed the banners at the front of the sanctuary these last tow weeks. They present the title of our upcoming Christmas musical, and that truth that “there is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them.” (Acts 4:12b) Invitations will be available beginning tonight to use as a tool to open the door for people to come and meet (and celebrate) Jesus.

Please take advantage of this tremendous opportunity. I think you will be surprised at peoples response when you invite them this. I am praying, and have asked a team of others to pray for this. I am trusting the Lord to open the doors of peoples hearts in this season. Will you reach out and put your hand on the doorknob? It may be open. If it is, take the opportunity to introduce your friend to Jesus, or at least invite them to a place where that can happen. It may be locked. But even if it is, leave the invitation there anyway. It may just be read and received just the same.

You may even be the one who knows that young man walking across campus. If not, then let the Lord use you in the life of the folks around you. Help them prepare for heaven by learning to call on the only name that can get them there.
In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Notes
♪ We have our first combined rehearsal for the Christmas musical TONIGHT at 6:30. There is a basketball game at 7:00 so plan accordingly for traffic and potential parking issues. I will see many of you TONIGHT.

Facing Your Giants

Dear Worshipers,

I did something unusual today. I took a personal day on a Tuesday. The kids had the day off school and a few other factors influenced me to make that decision last night. We try to make unusual days like that special for our boys and so today we decided to go see a movie we have wanted to see. After seeing it I am about to do something else that is a little unusual. I want to recommend that you go see this movie.

The movie we saw was “Facing the Giants”. It tells the story of a frustrated high school football coach who finds inspiration by turning to his faith. More than “a simple David-and-Goliath metaphor on the gridiron. This film tells the story of faith in the face of long odds and the need to align our priorities with God's.” [From a review on the Focus on the Family web site just Ctrl-click Plugged In Review ] And I am not talking about the unusual Christ-absent God references we see in some movies. Christ is at the core of this one, including a revival and at least one youth giving his life to Christ and being radically transformed. And yes, this is playing at the movie theater. Carmike at the Mall to be more

This film was touching on many levels. The coach read his Bible and prayed. His wife got down on her knees and prayed. They prayed to God at other times. There was talk of God working and changing lives. It was amazing to see all this stuff that we believes happens and makes a difference in our lives portrayed in a movie. It was awesome. You will be inspired.

That is really why I am writing. Not to advocate enjoying a good use of the arts to see God reveal Himself, although that is a good thing. Not to give you a good option for entertaining your family this week (if it is still here), that that is a good thing also. I am writing to inspire you. That is why I bother to take the time.

I was inspired in watching this film. I trust you will be as well. But even if you do not go, here these words from the coach, "Our goal is not to win games; it's to honor God." Insert whatever consumes a fair amount of your life instead of “to win games”. Our goal in all that we do is to honor God. That is one of the ways we might define worship, and particularly a lifestyle of worship, “Our goal (in everything we do) is to honor God.”

We all face giants. Not 9-foot-tall spear-toting ones, or undefeated football teams by the same name, but something else. What is that thing that causes fear to well up in the pit of your stomach? God wants to help you face that “giant” and bring honor to His name in the process.

Face your giants today. Be inspired by the presence of your Extraordinary God at work in your ordinary life. Honor Him by giving Him praise, whether you win or loose.


In Christ,

Pastor Scott

God is really here among you. I Corinthians 14:25

Dear Worshipers,

That is the overarching desire I have for our experience of God at our church. I often pray to this end just before the service. I want unbeliever and believer alike to be able to say, "God is really here among [us]." When I read Pastor David's Thursday thoughts last week [see below], I was reminded of this verse.

In this passage, the apostle Paul is offering some instruction to the Corinthian church with regard to the gifts of tongues. He says, "…in a church meeting I would much rather speak five understandable words that will help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language." [v. 19] In the larger passage here, Paul is defending the superiority of prophecy, "helping others to grow in the Lord, encouraging and comforting them" [v. 3] by speaking the word of the Lord.

Though in our church we rarely if ever experience the gift of tongues, we routinely have opportunity to experience the gift of prophecy as our pastors help us grow in the Lord, encouraging and comforting us. That is what Pastor David experienced when he first came here years ago, and that is what I eventually experienced as well.

My timeline was a little different. I had attended this church off and on for a few years before the night I met Christ and realized He wanted me in this church. But my testimony that night could easily have been, "God is really here among you." I was the unbeliever hearing the word of the Lord. It laid my secret thoughts bare, and I humbled myself before Christ to worship Him as Savior and Lord.

I keep using the word "experience". In conclusion, let me explain what I mean by that. By experience, I am referring to God revealing Himself through the Bible, prayer, circumstances and the church and our responding to Him and that revelation. That experience of God is all about God: God revealing Himself, and our responding to Him sincerely. I pray that happens every time we gather in this place. I trust that it does, even more than we realize corporately.

Some years ago, God revealed Himself to Pastor David, and he responded. Through him some years later, God revealed Himself and I responded. This Sunday through us both and others, God WILL reveal Himself again. I pray you and those around you will be prepared to respond to Him in the way that brings Him the most glory.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Pastor David’s “Thursday Thoughts” 10.26.06

"THE MOMENT I WALKED IN THE DOOR I KNEW THIS WAS THE CHURCH FOR ME!" The lady who said this to me was lying in a hospital, facing a grave diagnosis. Her courage and faith inspired me, and the experience she described was familiar as well. Her family had invited her to church on a number of occasions, but she always had an excuse. On a weekend when she knew they were out of town, she decided to pay a visit. I guess she thought that would be "safe" -- if she didn't like it and didn't want to return, perhaps they would never know she had been there at all.

But she did like it. In fact, she felt "at home" the very first time she came...and she has been coming to church ever since. She said, "Most people think it's strange when I tell them this, but somehow I just felt the presence of the Lord and I knew this was where I was to go to church."

Well, it didn't sound strange at all to me. I remember that winter day in 1977 when I decided to visit The Christian and Missionary Alliance Church here in Morgantown. My parents had been attending for a while and had invited me to come. I wasn't going to church anywhere and had no interest in church. I wasn't reading my Bible, I didn't pray, I was distant from the Lord and really didn't care to draw nearer. It was my last semester of law school and I had "more important" things to do than go to church on Sunday morning.

But then the Lord got my attention by allowing certain reversals and disappointments in my life. I'll spare the details here, but it suffices to say that I decided to pay a visit to the church my parents were attending. And I will never forget that morning. I sensed the real presence of the Almighty God the very moment I stepped through the doors of the carport entrance

The experience was remarkable, for two reasons. First, it was both undeniable and unexpected. It was as though God had posted Himself at the door as the "greeter" to welcome me into "His" house. Second, I knew that I was not in a place to discern what the presence of the Lord "felt" like. I wasn't walking with Him; how would I recognize His presence? Of course, the credit was the Lord's. It had nothing to do with how "discerning" I was; rather, He chose to reveal Himself to me in an unmistakable way. It was all by His grace. It always is.

My experience was no mere happenstance or accident. I'm convinced I sensed God's presence because the people of God were praying for His manifestation and were living in His grace. I walked into a realm where God was at work and the people had yielded to His favor and influence. The building itself was not holy, but the Holy One inhabited the people who worshiped in that space. I came to church and I met the Lord.

It should be the same on any given Sunday What this lady found a decade ago...what I found three decades ago...should be the ordinary experience of every person who arrives on our campus and enters our facility. I pray regularly that when people park their car in the lot they will sense that Jesus is here. I pray that as they walk our hallways, as they greet others in the building, as they find a seat in a pew, as they open their bulletin and anticipate the worship, as they lift their eyes to the video screen and their voices in praise, as their ears welcome the words that honor Jesus and His Word...that in all these ways they will meet the One who is the Lord of the Church, the One whose Body celebrates in this place.

And I enjoin you to pray with me to a like end. Let's expect to meet God in church this Sunday! If you do not attend the Morgantown C&MA, pray for the church you do attend. Pray that every person who comes will say, "The Lord is in this place! This is where I belong!"

Grace Will Lead Me Home

Dear Worshipers,

"There's no place like home."

Grace is not just something that helps us make it home; it is Grace that leads us home. There is a significant difference between these two thoughts which I did not realize until I was reflecting on that. The difference is as significant as the one between the driver and a passenger in the vehicle. The driver is the one in control; the passenger is really just along for the ride.

The problem we get ourselves into arises too often from the fact that we think we are driving. Grace is such a patient leader that often we actually think we are driving, when in reality we simply reaching over and turn the wheel this way and that as distractions to the journey pull us off course. Grace does not slap our hands and put us in our place. Grace gently turns the wheel with us, allowing us the choice, all the while knowing the true path and refiguring the course back to it, painful as it may be for us.

Yeah, you know what I am talking about. You find yourself in that place and you question Grace for allowing you to come this way. Slowly Grace begins to show you the way back, points out you departed, AND uses the little jog in the journey to show you something about Himself. We have the opportunity to reflect that or ignore it.

Grace does not only help me when I take the wrong turn in the road, it is grace that leads me back. And Grace does so without ever making me fell like an idiot for getting lost, and for not asking for directions in the first place. After all, that is just how Grace works. This analogy could go on and on, and I pray it will in your journey today and tomorrow and…but for now, let us focus on going home.

You know the old phrase that Dorothy used to get back to Kansas, "There's no place like home." Oh, how true that phrase is for any weary traveler as they cross the threshold and enter into that place of rest that is home. In our analogy, and the hymn it was originally stated in, I am speaking of course of heaven, our eternal home. Dorothy's phrase rings truer in this context than in any other, as we will continue to see in Pastor David's series.

Grace WILL lead me home. Have you ever thought of that? It doesn't say, “Grace MIGHT me home" or "Grace COULD lead me home", it says will. For the believer, one who has said essentially, "I have chosen to walk the path of Grace” there is the calm assurance that our journey with Grace will conclude in heaven. For the unbeliever, the one who has chosen not to walk His path, Grace will lead them to their destination as well, but with tears in His eyes for the countless opportunities missed to turn from certain ruin.

I have written today to try to give you a better idea of what Grace looks like. I trust that as you read images came to mind that represented for you the driver of your life, Grace. I trust that you have noticed my capitalizing the word "Grace" through the Tuning, and that you realize the purpose in that was to remind you that Grace is a person. He more often goes by His preferred name-Jesus. I think you know Him well, but pray you will know Him better as you experience Him through obedience to His leading this and every day until Your journey finally finishes and you find yourself at HOME!

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

My Shield, My Portion

Dear Worshipers,

The Lord has promised good to me. His Word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.

I finished last weeks “Tuning” asking for your prayers and I have felt them. I know many of you are praying and we appreciate all your concern for us. Our hope is secure in God’s Word which many of you are living out before us.

The words above are on my heart as I write today. I am hoping in the goodness promised to me – and my family – in Christ. I have experienced God as my shield and portion time and time again in this life, but am looking for Him to Him to protect and provide in this situation. Of course, we desire to be shielded from all harm, but even if pain comes, He will give us the strength needed to persist and prevail.

I asked Samuel on the way to school today what he felt the Lord was saying to him about the “bubble” [cyst] he had removed last week. After some thought, he responded, “Some good, some bad.” When I asked him what he meant by that he replied, “Well, if what they took out was bad, it was good if they got it all out.” WOW! Even if there was bad God can make it all good. Amen.

Just as I was thinking I would rather not be facing these uncertainties, I was reminded of those which others are facing. Many of you will remember Lya Cartwright Stroupe, the pianist from the last two patriotic musicals. She lost her son Ian in the spring to a congenital heart defect, after having lost the previous year had lost her father unexpectedly during the production of the musical. Now she has learned that her mother has liver cancer. She asked me for prayer in a recent email and admitted she is angry with God.

I called her to assure her that I would be praying for her. Will you join me? Pray that Lya will see God as her portion in these days. I know she feels as though God has failed as a “shield”, which He hasn’t, but I am praying that He will show her first that He is sufficient for all that she and her mom are facing in these days.

I know that some of you are facing difficulties right now. I am praying for those of which I am aware. I pray that you too will know God is your portion. He will give you everything you need to keep on until He calls you home.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Grace Has Brought Me Safe Thus Far

Dear Worshipers,

This month our choir is focusing on God’s amazing grace. It has been good to be reminded just how amazing God’s grace is. I recounted to the choir how sweet it was for me to sing that great hymn of faith during communion a week ago Sunday while standing in the same place I stood some 14 ½ years ago just before being baptized three weeks after meeting Christ. He has brought me “through many dangers, toils and snares” in those years, probably the vast majority of which I remain totally unaware. And I am facing a few this week.

Sarah had a procedure yesterday which removed a few suspicious moles. We will wait for the pathology for two to three weeks. We are praying that the areas are benign, but ultimately desire the Lord’s will.

Samuel has oral surgery to remove a cyst in his mouth on Friday. I am not certain how long our wait will be for his results. We are praying that they too will indicate his area of concern is benign, but ultimately again for the Lord’s will.

As I stood to sing a few weeks ago, these things were on my mind. But also were all the things the Lord has brought me through that 14 ½ years ago I could never have imagined. His grace has been sufficient. [2 Corinthians 12:9] His grace will be sufficient.

Don’t get me wrong, there is concern in the heart of this husband/father, but also confidence. I am concerned with these situations, but not without the confidence of the grace of my God. There is uncertainty in them, but it is mingled with certainty. Though we have yet to discover what this path holds for our family, we know the One who is our Pathway to Peace and we are certain to discover once again-and probably in a more profound way than ever before-the amazing grace of our loving Lord.

It may turn out to be “nothing”, benign reports on both counts. Even then in would be something, a demonstration of Gods’ grace to us. If it turns out to be “something”, we are praying for and trusting in the grace that will lead us through it with Jesus holding us safely in His hands. He has done so thus far, and shows no signs of changing. [Hebrews 13:8]

Pastor David’s started a series on heaven this past Sunday. He challenged us with the thought that if we are walking with Jesus, do we know where we are going? Of course we do. We are headed home. Whatever He wants to take us through on the way will only work out for our good and His glory as we journey on toward our eventual, eternal home.

I am praying for you. Will you pray for me and my family? We really need it. Thank you for the love and concern already shown to us.


In Christ,

Pastor Scott

What’s on Your Mind?

Dear Worshipers,

I’m not asking that in the usual sense. More accurately, I am asking “What one thing dominates your thinking?” Last week I challenged you to consider if you were single-minded. I asked these questions to clarify what I meant by single-minded.

Do you have a consuming passion? Is there one thing that is always on your mind? When you have a minute to daydream, what is the first thing that your mind trails off to? I think the best way to ask it is this, “What do you think about when you are not thinking about anything else?”

I commented near the end of last week’s “tunings” that I would share what should be on that mind. Here is the answer: GOD – GOD always, GOD only.

James 4:8 tells us, “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” This is the context of a passage that challenges us to submit ourselves to God. He is to be preeminent in not only our thinking, but in our living.

Where am I going with this? Here. We need to allow our pursuit of God, our submission to God, our worship of God to invade every passion, and every dispassion. Every thought, every word, every deed. All things brought into submission to the purpose of submitting ourselves to God.

There are a number of things that James does not say. He does not say, “Come near to God occasionally”. Implying that this is something you should do once in a while. He also does not say “Come to God conveniently”. In other words, when it serves your purpose. He does not even say “Come to God rightly” which could cause us to imply a legalism of trying to please God through vain repetition or other posturing.. No, James does not say any of those things. He simply says “Come”.

Then he offers this instruction. “Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” I am reminded of the Psalmists’ question and answer from 24:3-4 . “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.” The Psalmist was speaking of meeting God in the Temple. We are the temple. [1 Corinthians 6:19]

So, let us be careful to live in such a way as to stay before God. Not just come before Him and then leave, but stay. As cleansing is needed, ask God to do it. Did you do something [hands] or think something [heart] that dishonored God? In His presence be cleansed. Did you notice the progression, come and wash/purify? In His presence we are cleansed. Let us be faithful to come, and to be cleansed. Then we can live with God as our single focus through everything we face every day. May He bless you with a single-minded this day.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Single-Mindedness

Dear Worshipers,

I have a question for you as we begin to tune our hearts this week. Are you single-minded? That term means different things to different people so let me explain before you answer.

I am asking you if there is one thing that dominates your mind. I am asking if there is one pursuit that focuses all others. I am asking if there is one great purpose that influences every decision.

Do you have a consuming passion? Is there one thing that is always one your mind? When you have a minute to daydream, what is the first thing that your mind trails off to? I think the best way to ask it is “What do you think about when you are not thinking about anything else?”

I thought I was, singel-minded that is. At least most of the time, when I was not being selfish. Then the Lord decided to show me otherwise. He did it through a missionary, or rather a few.

I was sitting innocently taking in yet another powerful message at our Missions Conference last week when the Lord pierced my heart. Rev. Andy Gardner, missionary to Guinea, was addressing the good crowd gathered for our closing rally at Jack Roberts Park under the tent. He was sharing with us the need for us a have a thirst for God, likening it to that which is cultivated through Ramadan in the heart of a Muslim, that period where they do not eat or drink or even swallow their own spit from dawn to dusk. The point is to make them aware of their need of God.

He commented that a thirsty person has one thing on their mind. The statement that was made was something like, “God may use something you are struggling with to cultivate single-mindedness.” When he said that, the Spirit promoted me to consider a struggle I am currently facing with this possibility in mind.

As I pondered that I realized that I am not single-minded. If I were, I do not think I would even be facing the struggle. So, in a sense the struggle itself belies the lack of single-mindedness of which I am guilty.

Are you facing a trial or a temptation? Have you considered it is light of this truth? Read these words from James 1:2-8.

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Dear friends, let us allow God to use all that we face to give us a single-mindedness. More on what should be on that mind next week.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Involved in Discipleship

Dear Worshipers,

I was having a conversation last night with our Head Elder Don Oliver about the Children’s Missions Musical from the night before. It was a little rough in some places, for those of us who knew it inside and out, but overall it went very well. He was encouraging me with words conveying what a fine performance it was. I praised the Lord and thanked him for his encouragement…then I just kept talking.

It was one of those moments when you fell like you are watching yourself from outside your body, the occurrence seems so strange. I began to wonder why I was saying what I was saying. Then I realized it was because I needed to be reminded that these things are so much bigger than 45 minutes of musical entertainment.

You see, I said to Don something like, “It really did go well. But you know the encouraging thing to me is that as much as those in the congregation enjoyed it, I am much more excited about the fact that the kids were changed by it. Learning and memorizing something of this magnitude has an immeasurable effect on a person, young or old, and though that can not be measured today, I am confident it makes a difference in their souls as they sing these truths like “We’re Blessed to Bless Again” and “Everyone can give a gift of simple things”. But none of it would ever happen if they had not chosen to be involved.

It occurred to me again in those moments that this is really about discipleship. We use music to see Christ formed in the people of our church, and particularly those involved in the Music and Worship Ministries. The is really all about becoming like Jesus.

And so my challenge to you today is this? [Come on, you knew one was coming eventually. Sometimes it just takes me longer to get to it.] What are you choosing to be involved with? Where are you allowing yourself to be formed in the image of Christ? How is Jesus being poured into your life as you faithfully pour yourself out?

If you struggle to answer that question, get involved! Find a place of ministry and commit it to the Lord, as He leads. If you answer the question easily, but are struggling with the commitment, reexamine it once again. Maybe it is time for you to move on to something else. If you are just struggling, ask God where you can begin to serve so that you can experience His life-transforming power at work in you.

Make a choice and get involved…so that you can be a better disciple.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Uncomfortable for Jesus

Dear Worshipers,

I think we get far too comfortable with our Christianity. I say “our” because I am confident that what we conceive is Christianity is too often far less that the life of abandon that Jesus has called us to. I will not speak for you, but I think I allow myself too comfortable, too often, and in so doing reduce the glory of God in my mind to my detriment and the detriment of those around me as well.

When was the last time you agreed to do something that you were certain would cause you to be uncomfortable, but that you were equally certain God had called you to do? I am not even talking about anything extraordinary, just a simple act of obedience that took you out of your comfort zone. For me it was last night, and that is why I am writing this today.

A friend has asked me to speak to a group who are at varying degrees of commitment to Christ. I was asked to share about the call of God upon our lives, and particularly how it related to their particular field. I was confident God wanted me to do this, and confident of what I would say, however, I was also confident that I was going to be uncomfortable for a few reasons.

I will proceed to offer my valid reasons for concern, but feel free to insert your own from the last conversation you had with the Lord about such a matter, like the ones Moses had which generally started, “But Lord…”

I have a very limited knowledge of the field of expertise of the group
I do not often deliver a 45 minute message
I was uncertain of the level of agreement my listeners and I would share

There were probably others, but these will suffice for the sake of illustration.

I must say that although I was a little apprehensive, preparing was a thrill, and so was sharing. I was not surprised by that for this is generally my experience when I obey the Lord, even into an arena where I am uncomfortable. I must say I even came to know my Lord better by the way He showed Himself to me through my experience of obeying His will.

I am certain that will be your experience as well. So I ask you, “What has the Lord been calling you to do lately? What have you been making excuses about? Where are you feeling led that makes you feel uncomfortable?” Commit that, and your lack of comfort, to the Lord. Trust Him to bring you through that for His glory and your good.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Living the Call TOGETHER

Dear Worshipers,

Over the next few weeks we are going to be hearing a lot about “Living the Call Together”. We have heard that before. We know what that means. We understand what that looks like; praying, giving, going, sending, (living) together, to complete the Great Commission. Or do we?

These weeks we have been focusing on Sunday morning on the reality that God has something to say and that we had better be listening. What is God going to say to you in these next few weeks as we hear the Call again? I hope you will tune your ears to hear what the Spirit is calling you to do as we live the call TOGETHER.

That word TOGETHER is very important. Two particular angles have been on my mind lately as I have been praying and preparing for Missions Conference, and as I have labored over the song that we have begun to learn as a congregation. First, we live together with God. Second, we live together with each other. Both angles find a beautiful expression even in the context of the song. Allow me to illustrate.

It was never really MY song. God began to put that opening line in my heart back about the middle of August or earlier. I prayed about it and began to work through it, living it with God, allowing Him to form the song in my heart through melody and lyrics. I finally sat down at the piano and began to labor over it composing the chords that would under gird the melody and lyrics. After the chorus was finished, I had to wait on the Lord and listen for the verse, if He wanted one. It turned out He did, and He gave that to me as well. I continue to tweak things in the song with God, but it is nearing a finished product. Here is where the other aspect comes in.

I can not describe what it was like to hear that song first start to come to life as our musicians played and singers sang it. It had an entirely different life to it than it did when it was simply between me and God. It began to evolve, becoming more than I had expected. As each yielded their talents the TOGETHER aspect really blossomed. Pastor David called the National Office and they have requested a recording and sheet music to evaluate its’ usefulness beyond our local church. That is very humbling.

Since all I had was my hand-written manuscript, I engaged the assistance of several other servants to help me with this task. Bill Dodrill has created a very professional looking electronic manuscript. Scott Gillum has agreed to assist me in creating a high quality recording. Bob Menear has offered to write a chart for the orchestra. Do you see how this TOGETHER thing has incredible potential? If it ever had been, this is not my song anymore, it is OURS.

All that to say…be mindful of what God is birthing in your heart. It may be a song or some other service to the King. Whatever it is, keep it before Him long enough for Him to breathe life into it and cause it to blossom. That impression, that whisper, that nudge could end up becoming more that you had ever expected as you live it out with God and His people.

Let’s Live the Call Together!

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Are You Listening?

Dear Worshipers,

Over the last few weeks I have been challenging us to seek renewal and revival in our relationship with Jesus. As I continue on that theme this week and develop it I have a question for you, “Are you listening?” I am not referring to listening to me, but to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life.

If you were in church on Sunday, you know that Pastor David began a short series titled “GOD HAS SOMETHING TO SAY”. The focus of this series is listening to God. You will recall the powerful illustration he shared demonstrating how God is working to orchestrate things in our lives in an exhilarating way, if we will but listen to Him. I am looking forward to what He will say through our pastor in the coming weeks, but I want to get you thinking along these lines, living there, if you will. After all, many of you probable stood at the end of the service indicating your desire to listen to God. But I wonder what you have done about it since then. Here are some things to do, with a challenge at the end.

Stop. Wait. Listen. Open your Bible. Do it early. Do it late. Do it at lunch. Do it whenever you can. Stop whatever you are doing on the hour and just listen to the prompting of the Spirit. Ask Him to fill your mind with Christ. When you get an impulse to do something, before you dismiss it, talk with God about it and then LISTEN. He will explain to you what you should do or not do. Open your ears and listen with your heart. God’s still, small voice will become clear with some diligent training.

You know that listening to a person can be difficult. We begin formulating our response sometimes long before they finish, which means we really are not listening anymore. The same is true in our listening to God, so you need to discipline your listening. After all, how important are the things that God says to you.

An illustration I heard recently had to do with a $20 bill. If you found one floating across the ground sometime when you are out, what would you do? Pick it up, right? Suppose there was no one around that it obviously belonged to. Then what? You would probably put it somewhere secure so that you would not lose it like its previous owner.

Suppose you quiet yourself long enough to hear what God is saying to you. Are not His words more precious than a $20 bill. Certainly, but what would you do with it? Where would you secure those words so that you would no lose them? Do you have such a place?
Here is my challenge.

Journal. I have said this before and will say it again. The discipline of journaling is a joy. Though I am only averaging a journal or two a week this year. Those moments and memories are precious to me. They remind me of what God is saying. They help me to begin the process of responding to those words. Journaling will do the same for you.

If God speaks to you, and He will, I encourage you to secure those words. Somehow, somewhere. Secure them.
In Christ,

Pastor Scott

♪ Choir resumed last week, but you can join anytime. The sooner the better.
♪ Orchestra continues as scheduled. THIS WEEK.!!!
♪ Helpers are needed for Children’s Music in October. Let me know if you can assist Sarah and me. I have one blessed taker for Sarah and the preschoolers, and I really need at least one more for me and the older kids.
♪ I have ordered our devotional for the year, One Year with Jesus. They will cost $10, but will be worth every penny. They should be available by next week. Description: Ideal for anyone looking for a daily devotional to learn more about Jesus and grow closer to him. These 365 daily readings present the life of Christ in chronological order with selections from the four Gospels. Also included for each day are a Life Application note to provide insight and encouragement, and an information note to provide interesting background and helpful explanations. Another great book in the convenient and popular One Year format!

God's Manifest Presence

Dear Worshipers,

Last week I challenged you to seek a renewal in your relationship with Christ by asking Him for just that. This week I want to intensify that call by turning up the heat a bit. Get ready, things could get very hot if we all give ourselves over to the Lord in this.

This past weekend at Wind and Fire, a C&MA Men’s Ministry event in Cleveland, I was challenged by this thought; there is a difference between God’s omnipresence and His manifest presence. Of course, we are all aware that God is everywhere present or omnipresent. But how does that differ from His manifest presence?

I have often commented on two of Jesus’ instructions to us to demonstrate this difference. In Matthew 28:20, within the Great Commission, we read, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” He is with every individual believer. And yet, He had already made a promise of a different presence when He said, “where two or three gather together because they are mine, I am there among them.” [Matthew 18:20, NLT] There is something distinct in this presence.

The picture from scripture that He used to illustrate this was that of Elijah and the prophets of Baal from I Kings 18. You know of which I speak. The whole “call down fire from heaven episode.” And a powerful one it was. The difference between the two altars; the fire of God’s presence. That was God’s answer to Elijah’s prayer. “O Lord, let it be known today that You are God…Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that You , O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again,” I Kings 18 36-37

Do you sense the desperation in Elijah’s voice? I have prayed prayers like this, but not with that same desperation. I have longed for God’s presence, but not with that same earnestness. I have cried out for God to turn His people’s hearts back to Himself, but not with this kind of passion. That is going to change.

The speaker on Saturday challenged us not to be content with altars with no fire. The distinction of God’s manifest presence is in the fire. Again and again in scripture we see God’s presence symbolized in fire. Hear the challenge today. Do you have an “altar” where you regularly meet with God, your special place for quiet time, i.e. your closet of prayer? If not, find one or make one today. If you do, is there fire on it, or have you settled for an altar with no fire?

Let us seek the fire of God, His manifest presence, in our lives individually, and our ministry corporately. I am tired of worshipping at altars without fire, and I feel confident that you are too. We are not seeking an experience, but instead the very presence of God.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Personal Prayer for Renewal

Dear Worshipers,

I was already planning to share a call to personal renewal with you in this edition as we head into the fall, then the Lord confirmed that for me on Friday. I was reading in the book of Jonah and the Spirit showed me that leaders must model what they request. Before he could call Nineveh to repentance, Jonah first had to repent of his own sin. You remember the whole running from God thing. Silly Jonah. Silly me.

No, God has not called me or you to preach repentance in Nineveh, but He has called us to live together in such a way that the world will know we are His disciples. I am guilty of not always doing that, and I have a strong suspicion you are as well. We need to be renewed in our passion for the glory of God. We need to set our hearts on Him as we sang on Sunday. We need to have the kind of profound worship experience that Jonah had in the whale so that we can get a fresh perspective on Who God is, and what it is He wants us to do.

For the last few years I have prayed the following prayer. I read part of it somewhere and crafted part of it. It expresses my desire to continually be renewed in the presence of my Lord

I cry out to You, Lord, to restore a sense of awe toward You and Your Word. Fashion a childlike heart in me that I might be continually preoccupied with You, Father. Cultivate in me a sense of wonder at Who You are and what You do. I need a fresh revelation of You, Jesus. I need to see You more with the eyes of my heart. I ask You to reveal more of Yourself to me on a daily, even moment by moment basis. Soften my heart and deliver me from any religious and cultural cynicism that may have crept in. Free me to express my worship to You in a way that You are worthy of. Let my life be a sacrifice of praise to You, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

I have prayed it more regularly in some seasons than in others. I have cried out to the Lord with more earnestness at some times than at others. But I have been praying this prayer for myself. I want to ask you to do the same.

Craft your own prayer, or use mine. Find the words that express your heart to the Lord. Call out to Him to renew you. I know you want to experience more of God in your life. What are you going to do about that? I encourage you to pray. Not in a forced, demanding way: I pray and God answers. But pray expecting God to change you.

Over these last three years the Lord has been answering this prayer for me, and I know that he wants to do the same for you. Begin or continue to pray for renewal in your life. God is waiting to reveal Himself to you. What are you waiting for?

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Heat Wave - Part 2

Dear Worshipers,

Last week I spoke about the “HEAT” we were experiencing and tried to encourage us to find a corollary in our spiritual lives. What I did not address was the “WAVE”. Being hot is one thing, but sustained, prolonged heat that affects everything around you is another.

I had heard a local meteorologist define what qualifies as a “heat wave”: at least three days with afternoon temperatures over 90 degrees. We had that, no problem. I guess something less would be a heat ripple…like what happens to most when they come home from a retreat. There is a measurable difference, but it is not sustained as long as a wave.

A wave changes things. A wave changes the appearance of the sand on the shore. A wave makes noise. A wave demonstrates visibly there is a much greater, unseen force at work. A wave is generally not an isolated event, but one is a series, thus the three day qualification I suppose.

How about a heat tsunami?!? Could that be like one day that is terribly hot? The results of such an event would be catastrophic, which we saw exampled in Indonesia. The face of that part of the world was changed. I am sure people there still look out at the ocean periodically to check the horizon for another wave. But even still, they will eventually go back to living without an eye to the waters, other than an occasional reminder of that life-changing event.

How long can you stay hot? Can you sustain the heat of a close personal encounter with God? I think of Moses who wore the veil to cover the glow of his face following his meeting with God. Some commentators say he did that because the people could not stand to look at him, others because he did not want them to know the glory was fading. Without going back to the Lord, we have no hope of sustaining the obvious effects of our having been with Him.

Though our faces do not glow, there is a marked difference in our countenance when have been with God, and when we have not. Kind of how that summer tan fades as we progress into the fall. Keep going back to God so that you can continue to have your countenance adjusted, like tanning sessions for your heart. The difference is a glow that emanates from the inside out, as opposed to just a surface appearance.

Let us glow white-hot for the glory of our God, today, tomorrow and forever.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Heat Wave

Dear Worshipers,

Pastor Drew made me laugh as we returned from staff lunch today at the close of something we were commiserating over together when he chided, “ At least it’s not hot.” To which I added, “Or muggy.” What a joke. We are experiencing the dog days of summer when it really seems as though the sun has gotten hotter. But I wonder about the condition of your soul?

Are you white-hot for God and His glory? Are you ablaze for God, consumed by a passion to know Him and make Him known? When others look at you, is it primarily Jesus they see shining through you, or have you marred his image through your living? What better day than today to ask God to forgive you, and restore the flame of your first love in Him?

I was reading in Hosea earlier today and was reminded how the Jews had grown cold in their love relationship with God. These people who regularly heard and recited Deuteronomy 6:5 [“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength”] had failed to practice it. Instead they had begun to practice the detestable worship of the people around them. It is hard for me to understand how they could have drifted so far, until I look at my own heart.

Hosea slams the people and calls them to repentance. When I read his words, “Come and let us return to the Lord” I ask the Spirit to show me where I have gone astray, where I have replaced Him as my object of singular affection with something else. Ask yourself the same questions. Let us return to the Lord, that we may burn with a zeal for Him and His glory.

It is hot out there, but let us burn ever hotter for the glory of the King whose very presence burns infinitely hotter than the inferno of the sun.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Fiesta!

Dear Worshipers,

This week our church is adorned with a definite Mexican flavor as we enjoy our annual Vacation Bible School. It is a very exciting week in the life of the church ecuase it is so wrought with the potential of changing children’s eternal destiny as many learn about and begin to live for Jesus. Many a believers’ testimony takes a journey through VBS, which makes sense when we consider that the majority of Christians come to know Jesus as children.

But what exactly is a “fiesta”? In my preparation for our worship service for this coming Sunday I researched that. I learned that its etymology is from the Spanish fiesta "a festival, a religious celebration," from Latin festa, plural of festum "festival, feast" --related to FEAST, FESTIVAL especially : a saint's day celebrated in Spain and Latin America with parades and dances. When I came in to the closing section last night they were definitely celebrating as they sang and danced. It was a rousing close to the first day of VBS.

As I began my planning for the service this idea of celebration was on my mind. I came across these words in one of my planning resources. “What is the best term to describe the services we share on Sundays? Worship services? Assemblies? I have an idea—how about CELEBRATIONS?! The primary reason we gather as a congregation is to CELEBRATE Jesus’ resurrection and the new life we as believers have in Him! Let’s do that!” That really resonated in my spirit! Let’s CELEBRATE!

I tend to be demonstrative in my living and in my worshipping, so this comes pretty natural to me. But the supernatural dimension is even more real. When I bring myself, or rather allow the Lord to bring me to a place of understanding what I am doing when I come to worship, I am filled with a heart that longs to CELEBRATE!

On Sunday we read the words of the Psalmist from 40:1-3. Here David talks about waiting for the Lord and being delivered from the mud to stand on the rock. David speaks of God giving a new song, a hymn of praise. That to resonated with me. But it should resonate with all of us who have been delivered from death to life. You want to talk about religious celebration, look into heaven where the saints declare the worth of God eternally.

I pray there will be many added to their number this week at VBS, and that as the saints gather to CELEBRATE “Fiesta” on Sunday, they would be caught up in that eternal FIESTA that is reserved for the people of God. Let’s CELEBRATE!

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

The Torch Is Passed

Dear Worshipers,

For the last couple of years I have labored with this vision of churches working together to present a musical that would celebrate America, but more importantly acknowledge God as the provider of all true freedom. A couple of months ago it was looking like that vision might die, but God did an amazing work. I can say with some degree of confidence that the torch has been passed onto a whole new group of people, involved for the first time this year, and that they seem very willing to run with it.

We had a wonderful turnout to both performances, coverage on WBOY, and a couple of pictures in the Dominion Post. But was it even more exciting to me was the enthusiasm of the people involved. They were really excited about this thing.

It was thrilling for me to see how significantly we were outnumbered. While we had a strong showing with about 20 of our folks, there were far more from the other churches 34, for a combined total of 54. Here is a link you can go to see some pictures of the performance from the MET. The Torch is Passed

A couple of comments from folks that were particularly meaningful to me. When Pastor Drew, who played bass, asked the sound technician if the hall normally had a good sound, he replied, “Never as good as it did today.” Praise the Lord! We actually prayed for that. Go figure. I had a man come up to me in full patriotic garb who informed me that he and his wife had attended July 4th musical celebrations in Philadelphia and Washington and that ours rated right up there with anything they had ever seen. WOW! Thanks be to God. It was a talented group, but God was One who made the performance truly spectacular.

If you were not able to be involved this year I hope you will consider now your involvement next year. It promises to be even more exhilarating as more churches get involved and the awareness of the event grows within the community. The torch is passed.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Producing Perfection

Dear Worshipers,

One week from today we will have the opportunity to share a musical at the Metropolitan Theater downtown. We will share the musical two days earlier at the Pierpont Church of the Nazarene. I would guess there are about 10-12 churches involved in this endeavor through the participation of at least one member of the choir or orchestra. We will be celebrating America, honoring those who have served in our armed forces, and remembering our responsibility to pass our faith along to others, especially the next generation.

All these things are exciting to me. The places, the people, and the purpose. But what thrills me even more is the product. And I do not mean the musical in particular, but the perfection of unity in general. I am not speaking of musical perfection, but of the perfection process going on in our souls. I am seeing this musical produce a beautiful unity as believers from a number of different faith experiences are coming together around the person of Jesus Christ.

I have been mindful of this all along, but the Holy Spirit highlighted it for me again last week as I was reading through John. Jesus prayed for His disciples, then for all believers. He prayed that we would be one as He and the Father are one. He asked His Father, “that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”

That is the perfection that is being produced. The perfection of the unity of the Father and the Son. The perfection we find through becoming one in Them. That will be glory indeed.

Jesus’ prayer is powerful. To see it manifested before your very eyes is an incredible thing. To be a part of it is very humbling.

Many of you have not been able to be involved in this season but I hope you will come to one of the performances, either at Pierpont on Sunday, July 2nd at 2:30 p.m., or at the MET on Tuesday, July 4th at 1:30 p.m. I hope that you will bring someone with you. If you know someone who has served in our armed forces, please invite them. Our acknowledging their service will be an unforgettable moment in the program, similar to the spontaneous acknowledging of our senior pastor’s son who just returned from Iraq and Kuwait. Invite other believers, for this musical will encourage them to pass their faith along to others. Invite unbelievers, for this musical will offer them the answer to all the questions of their souls-Jesus.

Invite everyone you can, then come yourself and witness the church demonstrating the oneness for which Jesus prayed.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Maintenance Versus Development

Dear Worshipers,

A few weeks ago my mother and father-in-law celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Following the celebration, my family lingered to spend some time with them, most of which I spent helping around their home with odd jobs. My father-in-law’s health has deteriorated so that he has a very limited capacity for any kind of work around the house It was my pleasure to serve them and show my love to them during those days.

We had asked them to prepare a list of things they would like for me to do while we were there so as to maximize my time and effort to their greatest benefit. I have done a number of other things for them in the last couple of years, such as painting and installing a ceiling fan. They had mentioned some projects of that sort again prior to our arrival.

As I looked at and worked through the list, I realized that much of this list was maintenance and not new projects. That was a little disappointing at first, but then as I prayed and worked it hit me that this necessary stuff was no longer possible for my father-in-law That was a sad realization, and sobering as well. I did not really want to clean and organize and haul trash to the dump, I wanted to do some things that would improve their quality of life in some small way. I was disappointed.

There was a spiritual truth in that for me as I pondered it during my bushwacking. There is a need for the general care of our spiritual grounds as much as there is a need to develop new areas. This kind of care can be tedious at best, and at least VERY boring. Weeding is a good example.

Though it is not a very pleasant job, weeding is essential in an area where you are trying to grow something. Weeds are insidious and pervasive. They will choke out other plants and flowers and keep them from developing. They will overtake an untended garden in short order, leaving the gardener with a true mess.

The same is true for our souls. If we do not allow the Spirit to come in and clean us out regularly, we are in danger of choking out the precious truths we hold dear. Bad attitudes and thoughts can begin to overwhelm the good, subtly at first, until the eventually consume the mind. We must be careful to tend the garden of our souls, lest we forsake the seeds that have been planted there by the Lord.

So, before you go digging up another plot, examine your current one for weeds. Do the maintenance required to get your soul in tip top shape again. With the warmth and rain of the season, things will grow with just a little help from you.

50 years of careful attention can produce an amazing harvest. Won’t you yield your life to the Lord for Him to produce in you more than you could have ever imagined? It is worth the effort.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Living the Call Together

Dear Worshippers,

On Sunday, we witnessed a powerful illustration of going as the Costa Rica team exited to our exhortation, “Sing of His love in Costa Rica”. What a beautiful moment! They were going. We were sending. We were living the call together.

You may have not thought about them over the last couple of days. I am certain their families left behind have. They are thinking and praying for them almost constantly. They are living the call together. Let us pray for them.

They are others that will be leaving from our midst soon who need our prayer and financial support as well. Katie Hawkins leaves for training Sunday for CCO, and our own Alicia Davis will be heading to California for training next month then on to Vologda, Russia. They need us to live the call together. They need our giving.

Opportunities to live the call together abound. What opportunities to do so will yet cross your path today, I do not know, but the Way-Maker. Yield yourself know to him, as the Costa Team has, and as Katie and Alicia have, then hold on. It will be quite a ride.

See the message below from Pastor Goodin It is an update from the team.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

----- Original Message -----
From: Chuck & Robbi Fanberg
To: cma@cmachurch.net
Cc: jessicaleighgoodin@yahoo.com
Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 10:14 PM
Subject: Update

Greetings, all!

We have enjoyed this first day in San Jose, working at the local Alliance church. About half the team conducted two VBS sessions, from 9-11 and from 2-4, with two different groups of children. The rest of us dug out a lengthy grassy area that has been an eyesore alongside the street side of the church. We prepared it for concrete today. Tomorrow and the next day we hope to transform it into a decorative concrete border, embedded with stone.

We spent the evening with Chuck and Roberta Fanberg and their daughter Melanie. They have a lovely apartment, quite spacious, looking over the city to the southwest with the mountains in the distance. The next two or three evenings we will join several cell groups and share personal testimonies. On Friday, we travel 5 hours to Bri-Bri, over a road that is in very poor condition in places. It will be hot, muggy and probably quite muddy there. Chuck says what we are doing this week is getting us ready for “real” missionary work in Bri-Bri. There are many more children there, so we will continue to do VBS.

So far, no sickness, no injuries, no problems. We got through customs fine. The toothbrushes sent by Linda Oliver held us up a short time. They couldn’t comprehend why anyone would be carrying a couple hundred of these. The Fanbergs had a bus waiting for us and it was quite a frenetic experience as they loaded the back of the bus with our over-abundant pieces of luggage. By the time we got to our “bed and breakfast” it was past 1:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time. San Jose is in the Central time zone and does not observe Daylight Savings Time, so we are two hours behind you.

The bed and breakfast is interesting. The accommodations are certainly adequate and hardly primitive, but it’s not up to the standard of even a low-budget American motel or hotel. But better than we’ll find at Bri-Bri, I’m sure. It is in a very rough neighborhood, and we have been warned not to take a walk anywhere. It appears almost all the homes and businesses in San Jose are barricaded with bars, man with spooled razor wire topping the wrought iron.

Jim and Marcella Whetsell rode their motorcycle to the church today to see us. It’s about a 75 minute trip, and they left in the mid-afternoon to beat the rain that comes virtually every day during the rainy season. It was great to see them again, and they are happy and doing well. Their Bible study averages 8-12 people weekly.

Every team member is contributing well, and each one seems to be fully engaged in the experience. Bill is doing an excellent job as team leader. We have had a couple good times of sharing and prayer, and each is keeping a journal.

We’re not sure when or whether we will be able to email again, both because the internet is not easily accessible and because our schedule is very, very full. They have planned our days and evenings with a lot of activity. Keep us in prayer We hope to have many stories when we return.

Please forward this to anyone who might be interested in a report. We are “Living the Call Together” in Costa Rica!

DG

What’s That Sound?

Dear Worshipers,

Two years ago in the middle of the night a terrible sound suddenly erupted from our basement. It was so loud it woke up little Isaac then just about two-and-a half years old. To him it sounded like a shooting gun, and it scared him. To me it sounded like my furnace, and that scared me.

After investigating, I realized that the fan had slipped on the blower motor shaft and was hitting the housing. I loosened the set screw, readjusted the fan and retightened the screw. I started it up and it seemed to work just fine, emphasis on the word seemed.

Over the last few weeks the problems has arisen again, and I have kept adjusting, until yesterday. One of the blower motor legs snapped. The wear and tear of the motor led, over time, to the eventual collapse of the functionality of the unit.

As I sat and pondered what to do, I think my countenance changed. Downcast would be a fair word to describe it. I know the psalm which instructs, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42.11) But my soul was not really willing to receive instruction. I was genuinely bummed. I was hoping I would be able to repair the unit. I was disappointed that a professional would need to look at it, and that I would have to pay them.

I was thinking on these things when Sarah reminded me that God sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:45) The Spirit began to adjust my attitude. Sarah reminded me of several things to be thankful for, one being the fact that it is not the dead of winter. My countenance began to change as I began to practice the praise part of 42.11

There are a lot of applications from this simple story. Let me draw a few for my benefit and hopefully yours as well.

Putting a patch on a problem only delays having to deal with it, and may make the dealing more difficult.
Some situations force you to realize that you may need to call for the help of someone more qualified than yourself to deal with them.
Dwelling on the problem only makes things worse.
Dwelling on the Lord only makes things better.
Sometimes you need a friend to give you a new perspective. Jesus always has a good one to offer.

The professionals can not get tome for about 4-5 days, but I am already praising the Lord for how He will resolve this. I believe that now I will be able to rest at night with the knowledge that no firearms will be sounding in my basement. Isaac will be happy about that too.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott