Allowing

Dear Worshippers,

Last week we began a journey together. Rather, I began talking about the journey we are on to better understand and experience corporate worship in our church. Thank you for walking alongside me for this journey as I endeavor, with our Elders, to walk alongside Jesus. Let us all move along and find our encounters with our living Lord more vibrant than ever before.

We started our journey with a very brief overview of how we arrived at this place. The Elders have accepted the responsibility of defining the Core Values of our corporate worship, and have charged that task to a subcommittee chaired by me. We quickly affirmed the vision of our worship ministries [revelation and response] with this statement. “We are committed to worship the Lord corporately by giving Him the opportunity to reveal Himself and ourselves the opportunity to respond. When we gather to worship, all that happens should serve these two primary purposes, revelation and response.”

In that same meeting the Elders considered the following phrase which fueled the next part of the work for the committee. “We are committed to allowing these things to happen by…” In our most recent meeting the committee discussed the word allowing and I had to remind them of the reasoning behind the choice of that word. As we continue along together, let me bring you in on that discussion.

It is important to look back at the phrase and consider what we are allowing. The statement says “these things”. What are these things? Revelation and response. The committee began saying that we want to take a more active role in worship through possibly changing the word to encouraging. Although that is a part of what we ultimately want to do the reality is that we cannot make either of these things happen. The word allowing captures that humble submission more accurately.

You see, we can not make revelation or response happen. We can declare the Word, exalt Christ, and esteem the moving of the Spirit, but the Lord has to do the work of revealing Himself, and His people have to choose to receive that revelation. Even when they receive it, they have to choose again to respond and God has to enable and empower that response. Though worship is a command (Exodus 20:3), God allows us to choose to worship Him, and in so doing find the greatest delight available on earth. We sing that, “the greatest treasure remains for those who gladly choose You now.” [Come, Now is the Time to Worship, Brian Doerksen]

Even the Father in His infinite power and wisdom allows our worshipful response to Him Jesus said in John 4:23, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” It does not say “they are the kind of worshipers the Father makes.” He allows our response, so we can only take an active role in doing the same. We are committed to doing that.

We will spend some time considering how we do that near the end of this journey, but over the next several weeks we will begin to look at what are some of the Core Values that inform those expressions, actions and elements. I am so glad we are in this together, and am thankful to the Lord for the opportunity to worship Him and lead in such a way that allows others to do the same.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Our Journey into Worship

Dear Worshippers,

Do you think you have experienced all there is of God through your participation in corporate worship? In other words, do you think you have “arrived”? I certainly hope not, for there is always more of Him to see, and more of ourselves to surrender. We are on a journey, all of us at different places, but coming together to go deeper into our understanding of God, and our abandoning of ourselves. Though the journey is joyful, it can also be arduous.

For the next several weeks, I want to share a little bit of that journey the Lord is taking us on as a church. I think it is important for us to know where we are and where we are headed, if we have any hope of moving forward. Are you picking up on the movement theme here? Worship is a journey, from a life of rebellion to resignation, from self to Himself, from pandemonium to peace. Put on some comfortable shoes and we will journey on together.

This journey, or at least the place I feel we should start for now, begins with Pastor David’s annual report. He communicated that the Elders spent our annual Prayer and Planning Retreat in January talking about our corporate worship, enjoying a strong sense of unity and purpose. We affirmed that we were “walking” step in step with each other. Out of this meeting came a subcommittee which I chair that has been laboring to define our core values. It has been a very rewarding journey for us and each time we have brought our work back to the Elders, it has been confirmed.

In March, the Elders adopted this statement, “We are committed to worship the Lord corporately by giving Him the opportunity to reveal Himself and ourselves the opportunity to respond. When we gather to worship, all that happens should serve these two primary purposes, revelation and response.” This was very affirming because it is an adaptation of the vision God has given me for the worship life of our church, centered around these two words, revelation and response. I had wrestled through this process as to how to reconcile the vision while defining the essentials of worship in our church. This assured me that I was on the right path.

Another partial statement that the Elders considered at that meeting fueled the next part of the work for the committee. “We are committed to allowing these things to happen by…” The key word in this phrase is not committed, though it is powerful, but instead allowing. Even in our most recent meeting the committee discussed the word affirming and I had to explain the choice of that word. Next week I will attempt to explain that word choice to you, and continue to direct you along this path we are walking together. Thanks for taking the journey with me.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Remembering the Fallen

Dear Worshippers,

It is September 11. I am sure you have been reminded in some way either today or in the last few days that we were approaching this significant date in American history. You probably remember where you were when you first heard of the plane, then planes, colliding into the World Trade Center. You probably remember standing in disbelief as you watched the second plane fly into the second tower, then as they fell. You could hardly believe it when you heard about the Pentagon and the other plane that went down in Pennsylvania. It was a day we will never forget. It was a tragic day in the history of our nation.

Some 3,000 fell that day. Going through their day, minding their own business, living their lives. Struck down, some in their prime, some with unborn children. Many presumably were not prepared to die, having very different plans for the day, the rest of September, the rest of that year. We mourn their loss, and pray for their families who today live it all over again.

But I want to ask you to consider some other fallen. Sarah told me just last night of a missionary that was murdered recently in Afghanistan. This missionary served with my brother-in-laws denomination. I do not know his name. I do not know the date of his death. I do not know the events surrounding his demise. But this I know, he gave his life in the service of the King. I presume he was ready to die, because anyone willing to communicate the gospel in Afghanistan knows the penalty for doing so is death. We mourn his loss, and pray for his family and friends as they grieve.

But let us remember that there are many others that have considered the cost and made their decision to live for, and if necessary die for, Jesus. Against all odds, they have decided to take the good news of the Savior in places that are less than receptive to it. They have placed their lives on the line so that some will have the chance to hear that otherwise might not have. Our missionary that we heard from Sunday in the service, who is laboring in the same country mentioned above, said that she can not leave, dangerous as it may be to here life, because she loves them.

Some of them will likely die in the process. They are our brothers and sisters. Some of them may even be us. Let us not shrink back, afraid to give our all, for the advance of the kingdom of our God is the call that has been placed on us. Let us encourage one another next week during Missions Conference 2007 to do all we can, by God’s grace to communicate the gospel AGAINST ALL ODDS.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Missions and Mercy

Dear Worshippers,

This weekend the choir will resume their ministry to our congregation as they sing the prayer "Hear Our Praises". Some of the text of this wonderful anthem says, “May our homes be filled with dancing, may our streets be filled with joy. May injustice bow to Jesus as the people turn to pray.” I stopped during our read-through of this last week and challenged the choir with this vision…

Wouldn’t it be a blessing if people across the nation instead of reading about football players or partying running rampant in our city, they could read about dancing filling our homes, joy filling the streets, injustice bowing to Jesus, BECAUSE GOD’S PEOPLE TURNED TO PRAY? What a demonstration of the mercy of God! As we heard on Sunday morning in the video from Gabon, missions and mercy go hand in hand. [Check it out at this link: Alliance Video, then under “Confronting Aids” click the “Watch Video” link]

Isn't that the mode of missions, showing and proclaiming the mercy of God? While we can use language that communicates the truth, we must also live lives that confirm our words. When we truly love others, we will reach out to them with the love of Jesus, extending hope and healing in Jesus to souls torn apart by sin.

The text of the anthem continues, “From the mountain to the valley, hear our praises rise to You; From the heavens to the nations hear our singing fill the air…Hallelujah!” What appropriate words for a bunch of mountaineers to sing. Let our praise rise to You, then echo to the nations. Give glory to God and let others know of Him. That is what Jesus taught in Matthew 5:12, 16b “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Start out praising God for who He is and what He has done, then let your deeds echo the praise of your lips through acts of mercy.

Both lips and lives saying, Hallelujah, praise You, Lord!

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Break Up Your Unplowed Ground

Dear Worshippers,

A new season, is about to begin. No, I am not talking about the football season which we hope will see our Mountaineer football team crowned the national champions. I am referring to the fall, and the start-up of a cadre of ministries at church, including my favorite-choir.

I mention this because I am about to talk about plowing, sowing and reaping, and I want you to understand that I am aware we are entering harvest time as far as farmers are concerned, even while I talk about the beginning of the process. I am talking about the beginning because that is where we find ourselves in this community that revolves in great measure around the schedule of West Virginia University. In the fall, there is much excitement in Morgantown, but not all of it is centered around the university.

The verse that came to mind as I prayed about my word to you for this week was Hosea 10:12. To keep you from having to tear open the sticky pages from your Bible, at least for the moment, let me share it with you here from the NIV. “Sow for yourselves righteousness,/reap the fruit of unfailing love,/and break up your unplowed ground;/for it is time to seek the LORD,/until he comes/and showers righteousness on you.” I hope that last line is the desire of your soul as it is mine, to see the Lord shower His righteousness down upon us, the city which is home to the number #1 party school in the nation.

That shower will be the result of our cultivating lives of righteousness, loyal to our God. Cultivating is a part of the vision of our worship ministries, though we use the word nurture. Remember the vision, “Our Worship Ministries exist to nurture worship as a lifestyle characterized by sincere responses to God’s self-revelations.” This is all about growth: plowing, sowing, and reaping.

It is the first part that I want you to think about as we enter this new season. Where is some plowing necessary for you? Is there some area that you have left untended for a while? Though resting a field is a good practice, I hope you are willing to do the work that Lord has for you and in you in the days ahead.

Did you notice how this passage starts and ends with righteousness? This is all about the Lord and His mercy. In the chapter surrounding this verse, God is warning the nation of Israel to do some hard work and change their ways, or face the consequences. The Christian life is a life of change and transformation, though sometimes we are guilty of becoming far too comfortable. Part of the note on this verse from the NIV Study Bible says, “Be no longer unproductive, but repentant, making a radical new beginning and becoming productive and fruitful”. Receive that word from the Lord and break up your unplowed ground in this new season.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

They’re Back

Dear Worshippers,

If you have driven anywhere near Morgantown in the last few days you are aware of one thing for certain. The students are back. You have probably sat in traffic where for the last three months you were whizzing along. I want to encourage you with a particular perspective as those students clog the arteries of our otherwise sleepy little berg.

Each student has come to study at WVU with a particular objective. Some have come for a degree, others have come for a good time, if they get a degree, fine. Some are studying chemistry, others are trying to find it in a relationship. Some have come to learn how to teach, others already think that have everything figured out. MANY OF THEM NEED JESUS! I DID!

In the fall of 1990, I entered West Virginia University as a student in the College of Creative Arts. Little did I, know that God was going to draw me to Himself very creatively through a number of my classmates. I was pursing a Bachelors Degree in Music. Little did I know, God was already using that love to draw me to Himself, who would become my First Love. God was orchestrating my life, absolutely no pun intended, to bring me to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and I did not have a clue.

How many students have arrived in Morgantown as lost as I was? Everyone of them loved by the Father and gently being draw to Him. Many will miss His leading, but a few will follow. Will you pray for them?

Some of them are future pastors. Others are missionaries. Most will be faithful followers who remember their coming to (or back to) Jesus while they were at WVU. Don’t you want to be a part of that? Prepare yourself for the part God would have you play by praying. And in your prayers listen. God may just ask you to do something that will be a little outside of your comfort zone, but will put you in a place where you can touch a student, or a number of them, with His love.

I want to also encourage you to pray for our College Church. This is the primary vehicle of our reach into the WVU student population. Pastor Smith is laboring with his leadership team to provide a place for students to belong and become more like Jesus. Please pray for them as they communicate the Gospel to as many students as they can.

Yes, they’re back, and the streets are clogged. Clogged with opportunity. The opportunity is yours to pray for them while you are sitting in that traffic, and pray for yourself to help them find their way to the Savior.

What would He have you do?

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Splash Kingdom

Dear Worshippers,

We are hosting our first ever Children’s Musical Camp at church this week. Thirty-six kids from Kindergarten through 6^th grade have come out for a week of fun in the Son. We are learning at entire dramatic musical in one week with our dress rehearsal on Friday at 11:30. We are having a great time learning, laughing and loving.

Most of these kids have already accepted Christ, but this life saving musical gives them the opportunity to confirm that decision, and be trained to share that faith with others as we learn the ABC’s of salvation through a course called “Lifesaving 101” in the body of the musical. The kids will have an opportunity to share the musical on a couple of occasions when they can invite friends, family, neighbors, classmates, etc. to come and hear…and believe.

Pastor Tony challenged parents at VBS to make certain their children are in spiritual environments, places and experiences that will train them to be like Christ. That’s exactly what this camp is, and what so many other things we do at church in general and our worship ministries in particular are. I hope you are keeping yourselves in spiritual environments that are encouragements to your faith. I hope you are looking forward to some in the next few weeks.

Pray for us as we labor for the Lord, that His name may be exalted and His kingdom advanced. Thank you.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Go Rest High on that Mountain

Dear Worshippers,

I learned a beautiful song last week. You probably expect that in my worship planning, preparation, and leadership I learn a lot of songs, and I do. But I learn songs for a number of other reasons. Many of them are very pragmatic, but some are also recreational. The learning of this particular song unfortunately had a very specific purpose. I was asked to sing for the memorial service of a man who was a friend of my family. He was only 42 years old.

He had lived a troubled life, the last few years having faced a very difficult bout with cancer that began in his jaw and spread into his brain. He endured surgeries and other treatment which only served to prolong the inevitable. In the last few weeks, he finally surrendered his life to Christ, following a decision his daughter had made maybe only months before.

That same daughter selected this wonderful song sung by Vince Gill. I sang this with my sister and father, to a man whose soul was finally at rest after so much struggle. Maybe the words will be of comfort to you or someone else who has lost loved one.

I know your life
On earth was troubled
And only you could know the pain
You weren't afraid to face the devil
You were no stranger to the rain

Go rest high on that mountain
Son, you work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and Son

Oh, how we cried the day you left us
We gathered round your grave to grieve
I wish I could see the angels faces
When they hear your sweet voice sing

Go rest high on that mountain
Son, you work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and Son

As believer’s this is the rest and the eternal occupation that awaits us. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, wrote Paul. [2 Corinthians 5:8] This is what one is Christ is looking forward to.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Spiritual Markers

Dear Worshippers,

This Sunday marks the 75^th anniversary for Fremont Alliance Church in Fremont, NE. This is the church I served right out of seminary. This church gave me the opportunity to come back to the Alliance after receiving my Master of Church Music from The Southern Baptists Theological Seminary. This community of faith is still very dear to us, and as they mark 75 years of ministry this week, they will be remembering their heritage of faith and faithful ministry in their little burg in eastern Nebraska. Though we will not be with them in body we will be with them in spirit.

Remembering, and placing spiritual markers along that journey that God uses to create those memories is an important exercise. I am reminded of the Israelites and the pile of stones they set up after crossing the Jordan. I am reminded of the words of Moses that must have been echoing in their ears that day, echoing because he was no more. Words that are recorded for us in Deuteronomy 6:4-10.

⁴ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. ⁵ Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

They remind us that we are to remember, and regularly, what God has commanded. We must also remember what God has done. He has delivered us through trials and tribulations. Delivered us from tempests. Sheltered us from storms. Never left us, nor forsaken us, even when we did not remember.

Take a few moments and remember what God has done for you. Tell somebody else. Leave a little spiritual marker to remind yourself and those who will follow you that God is faithful.

O little flock in Fremont, God has been faithful.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Take the Plunge

Dear Worshippers,

Last night we encouraged 117 children to “make a splash with Jesus”, to “jump, jump, jump right into the love of the Lord” as we began VBS 2007. I was a little weary after the flurry of activity to get ready for the first night. It was then that the Holy Spirit reminded me of the eternal value of every ounce of that energy poured out for Him. Encouraging those little ones to dive entirely into Jesus is something I am willing to give everything I have to. And I want you to have a part in that.

Will you pray? Pray for the ones who are hearing the gospel for the first time, that they would receive it. Pray for those who are hearing it again that it would be an encouragement to their walk with Jesus. Pray for the parents who will be around through the week and for the closing program on Sunday that they will open their lives to Jesus AND realize the opportunity to partner with the church all year long to teach Christ to their children.

What an opportunity for them! What an opportunity for you! Then as you hear of the ways God moved this week you will know you were a part of that.

Thanks for living the Call with me this week…through prayer!

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Overtly Christian

Dear Worshipers,

There are a lot of things I would rather not be called. “Overtly Christian” is not one of them. To put it another way. Of all the things someone might be inclined to call me, I would welcome that moniker.

When the article at the top of the page last week was titled “Choir claims discrimination”, I have to admit I wondered just how accurately the reporter would tell my version of the on-going saga with our local “Celebration of America”. I was very impressed with the representation. My view was expressed clearly and concisely, the second being entirely the responsibility of the reporter.

In a nutshell, I claimed that we were forbidden to participate in the local celebration of July 4^th because, as had been said to me, “your program is too overtly Christian.” I remember the statement in some measure due to it’s redundancy, but even more so for the clarity of it. No minced words here, nor any detectable malice mind. The “Celebration of America” chair claimed it was simply an issue of time. [If that were the case, why would the work need to be reviewed as it was?]

All that to say, I think there was clear discrimination. In our country, with the freedoms that so many have fought to protect, I find this unacceptable. And I am not alone. With my voice echoes a number of others who share my view. With Paul and many others I say “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” Romans 1:16

I think of Jesus words, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:26 I do not want to be guilty of such an indictment. I want to stand and say that I am a follower of Christ, in every arena, in every moment, in every way I can as God gives me strength.

I do not want Jesus to be ashamed of me. I want Jesus to say of me when I finish my course, “Thank you for being overtly Christian.” Openly, clearly, obviously, blatantly, visibly, explicitly Christian. Don’t you?

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Living God’s Plan in God’s Love

Dear Worshippers,

Last week I did not give reference for Jeremiah 29:11, Sorry about that. “I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Some of you may have immediately known where that reference was. If you did not, I want to encourage you to memorize it. You will need it at some point, whether you are looking for the grace to suffer, as Pastor Andy put it Sunday, or know someone else who is.

I was already privileged to know this when I asked my ordination mentor years ago what he and his wife had done to raise their three boys to know and love and serve the Lord. As a young father, I wanted to know the secret of raising my sons the same way. I wanted to do everything I could to instill those desires in my boys. What he said to me reminded me of this verse from Jeremiah.

“God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” I think I was expecting something a little more complex, or at least something with a few more steps to follow. But the beauty of this was the simplicity. What a wonderful thing to know that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.

I bless my boys at night when I put them to bed. I often will speak this truth over them with my hand placed on their little, or not so little, head. I remind them of it at other times too, when things are going great and God’s plan for their lives seems to be coming into slightly clearer focus, and when things are going poorly and they are struggling to see God at all.

The real challenge I think was what he added after that. He said that although he and his wife never had a detailed plan for raising their boys, they always endeavored to live this simple premise before them. Do you hear what I am saying? It is more than speaking it, it is living it that really makes the difference!

Some of you have heard me say, “You teach what you know, you reproduce what you are.” I can teach my boys these truths, but they I will only reproduce them in their lives in I live them myself. Here is my point.

There is someone watching you. Someone who is going to emulate some facets of your life. Parents you know this to be true. Keep working at being. For those of you who are not parents, there are people watching your godly example too. Live in a way that shows them that you KNOW God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. I am certain you will be pleased with the results in your life…and theirs.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

The Last Word

Dear Worshippers,

I wrote to you last week encouraging you to think about heaven. Part of the point of that was to encourage you along the lines of the old adage, “Begin with the end in mind.” If you do not know where you are going, you are probably going to have a hard time finding your way there, and will probably end up wherever the road leads you.

This can be a frightening thought when you look at the road many people are traveling. It may not always seem a wonderful prospect when we look down the path a bit even though we are walking along the way with Jesus. Our course is not promised to be easy, even though His yoke is. [Matthew 11:29-30]

The solace we find is that the final word the Lord speaks to us is mercy. I was reading in Jeremiah today when I was reminded of this. Jeremiah lays down so very strong words of judgment to the people of Jerusalem as he speaks for the Lord, but it is balanced with God’s desire for mercy.

I am speaking specifically of Jeremiah 33:26. [This year I am reading The Message, by Peterson] After comparing His covenant with Jacob and David with the functioning of the sky and earth, God says, “The last word is, I will have mercy on them.”

Have you ever been in an argument? You know, you go back and forth trying to state your case. Sometimes things can get pretty heated. Most of us want the last word, because we would simply like to win by silencing our adversary. I like how Bill O’Reilly [of The OReilly Factor] will say, “I’m going to give you the last word”, then lets his guest make a final comment, to which Bill often adds one of his own. It is his show after, so he gets the last word, ultimately.

And that’s the case with our God as well. You may be facing a difficult time, or one may be headed your way. You may find yourself in an argument that just will not seem to quit. Maybe your situation at work is awkward or uncomfortable. Maybe you are ready for the end of a particular circumstance.

Know this. The same One who said, “I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” is saying, “I will have mercy on them.” That’s the last word.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Heaven

Dear Worshipers,

When was the last time you thought about heaven? I believe it was Randy Alcorn who rightly asked, "Why do we spend so little time thinking about where will spend so much of forever?" Heaven was brought into a much clearer focus for me last week through a couple different experiences. Thank You, Jesus.

I received a call last Tuesday that a family friend was in the hospital after falling and hitting his head. This is complicated by the fact that he has had cancer in his jaw, and currently has a tumor in his brain. They have been through a lot in the last two years. As I spoke with his wife I shared words of hope and prayed for healing, but remain uncertain as to whether this friend is truly ready for heaven. I left the hospital thanking the Lord that in heaven there will be no more pain.

On Friday, I shared that Good News with a woman named Sherry. She had come to the church looking for help. She was at the end of herself, literally in tears. Living in this world had taken its toll on her, and she was ready for heaven. As we talked I discerned that Sherry was homeless, hopeless, and helpless. Not anymore.

I asked her a few questions to discern her spiritual position. 1. If anything were to happen to you and you were to stand before God and he asked you, “Why should I allow you into my heaven?” what would you say? She answered with the common “works righteousness”, ‘I tried to do the right thing’. I followed that up with 2. Would you like to know how you can be certain you will enter heaven? She responded, “Absolutely”.

After explaining to her that her sin had separated her from God and that only Jesus could bring the chasm, she repented, turned to Christ, and I believe was gloriously redeemed. I say that because her countenance changed. Her tears were now ones of joy. She was ready for heaven.

I heard a wonderful testimony just this morning of another change of countenance. A friend whose mother had struggled with life for some time finally went to be with the Lord. In her final moments, they said “her entire facial expression changed.” In my friends’ words, “she went from struggling for breath, to relaxing, safe in His arms.” Even for the believer, the transition from earth to heaven can be fearful. But it need not be, as these words remind us. The reward the Lord has in store for those in Christ is unfathomable.

Think of heaven today. And live like its real, and your ultimate reward. Thank you, Jesus.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Growing

Dear Worshippers,

Have you noticed over the last few weeks that everything has greened up? I was away for a week leading up to Memorial Day and when I returned it was like God had turned on the green. Leaves were bursting forth from the large tree behind my house providing a lovely covering, along with all the other trees in my yard. It was wonderful to return from Florida to all this green

But weeds were also growing. It had been almost two weeks since I had mowed my lawn and done some weeding, and it showed. My yard was in desperate need of some attention. There were weeds in my landscaping beds and steps going down around the house. Weeds, weeds everywhere. Some maintenance was needed.

How about in your life? Have you come through the winter and spring to find your spirit bursting with life? Are the weeds choking out the growth God is bringing? Maybe God is doing a wonderful thing in your life, and at the same time something is choking out that wonderful thing. Some maintenance is needed.

Where do you go to do maintenance on your soul? God's Word.

I was reminded of it's importance in the growth of our relationship to God last week. We must read it, for it uncovers to us the areas of our soul that need attention. It shows us where we need to grow, and what needs weeded out. But the challenge for us is to read it as more than a maintenance manual.

We must look to God’s Word as a way to discover God, not like a self-help book.

The difference is that of reading the Bible to learn how to lead a successful life and reading it to discover the God who has revealed Himself. I hope you are doing the latter.

Are you reading the Bible? I certainly hope so. If you are reading it, what is your perspective on it. I hope you are reading it to discover God, and not just to help yourself. If you are reading it to discover God, you will help yourself. You will do some weeding. You will grow.

When people look at you, I pray they will see the life of Christ growing every day. I pray the same for myself.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

A Taste of Heaven

Dear Worshipers,

Last week, I had a chance to travel to heaven by way of Orlando, Florida, and trust me it had nothing to do with the Magic Kingdom. Certainly, the times of corporate worship were wonderful as I expected them to be. Yes, we reconnected with some old friends and were encouraged greatly along the way. We met the Lord in His Living Word and heard Him speak words of vision and passion to our hearts. All these I was expecting. But there was one element I was really not prepared for, and it was this glimpse into heaven on and through the faces of the diverse group of people we are as The Alliance.

The face of Council was diverse, from the speakers to the worship team participants. It was the probably the most culturally diverse Council ever, with regard to representation from the delegates. The comment was made that almost 1/3 of our Alliance church in America are ethnic, making us probably the most multiracial denomination in the States. You could see it.
On Tuesday morning, one group after another were brought to the stage...

A Vietnamese delegation representing the 1 million+ Alliance believers in Vietnam, the largest national Alliance Church in the world, even though our missionaries where flown out on helicopters in the 1970's leaving behind a church of around 125,000.

Ten Portuguese-speaking churches have just joined our Alliance family in America with maybe a hundred more to follow.

Two couples were honored who had served 50 years in ministry! WOW! What an example! I cried as I prayed, "Lord, help me to run the race marked out for me".

Through the week we heard from a number of missionaries, some who after having studied and lived in the U.S. returned to their countries of origin or followed God’s call to yet another place of service. Each one told the story of God’s love crossing cultures and numerous other barriers. One stated the Call this way, “It’s not about crossing the seas, but about seeing the cross.”

Seeing the cross. Communicating it’s love and power to those around me. I was challenged and encouraged. Thank you for praying. Continue to pray as I and our other delegates discern what the Lord would have us do with all that He put on our hearts last week.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

General Council

Dear Worshipers,

I am sending this out a little early this week because Tuesday morning I will be on my way to Orlando, Florida for the bi-annual convocation of the Alliance family. I will be traveling with Pastor Tony and Kathy Etris, our Church Administrator Gloria Mackey, and my lovely wife Sarah Leigh. Pastor Andy Hawkins and Pastor David and Mossie Goodin have preceded us and will also be at this grand event. And that it is.

How I wish all of you could go! Really! This is an incredible event in the life the Alliance, not only because this is the first time it has ever been two years between gatherings, but simply because of the people it brings together and who they represent. Thousands of churches across America will send delegates, and many of our Alliance mission fields will be represented. In addition to them, many others from the Alliance family worldwide will be present.

It is grand not only because of the people gathered, but also for the purpose. We will conduct business that will guide the Alliance in the next two years. We will celebrate the amazing things God is doing all around the world through us. We will reconnect with old friends and make new ones. We will worship the Lord.

That's right, we will have many opportunities to worship corporately, and of all the experiences of General Council I wish you could experience that. From the opening night right, through the Communion and Healing Service, and to the climax of the Missions Rally, it is an unforgettable week of worship because of the way the Lord will reveal Himself. I pray each delegate will respond sincerely. I pray I will be prepared to do so.

Please pray for us as we head to Council and especially for the first-time delegates, of which Pastor Tony and Kathy are two of almost 1,000 new delegates. Pray that each of us, new and old alike, would capture the vision of this movement and return home with a renewed vigor to live the call while encouraging others to do the same. Pray for the moving of the Holy Spirit in our midst like unto the days of the birth of this great, extraordinary work of God of which we are all a small, ordinary part.

Thank you for your prayers. May God bless you this week as you live the call right where you are. We will endeavor to the same.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Summer Plans

Dear Worshipers,

If your family is anything like ours you have already begun to make some plans for the upcoming summer season. No doubt those plans probably include some traveling, maybe to see family or to get away from them, to visit an exotic or exciting destination, or simply some time to escape to a quiet place. Vacation means something slightly different to everyone, but to each of us it means a break from the usual. Here is where I want to encourage you today.

Our vacation plans begin sometime after July 4^th. The reason for this is the upcoming musical where we will combine forces with several other area churches. It is a terribly exciting time to see God at work in us collectively, and particularly as we link arms with folks who serve the Lord in their own unique ways the rest of the time. This endeavor really began to gain some momentum last year as Pierpont Nazarene hosted us. This year we will be at Drummond Chapel, or Suncrest United Methodist Church as it is now called, for our “church” performance. I hope you will consider joining us.

But I am really interested in encouraging you in totally different regard. I want to encourage you NOT to take a vacation from God this summer. When you take a break from everything else, DO NOT take a break from Him. Rather, I want to encourage you to think of how God can be a BIG part of your vacation.

You do not have to go on a short-term mission trip to do this. Maybe for you, it could actually be a time when you begin a new spiritual discipline, or strengthen one that has been waning. Maybe your vacation could be a time to break away from some things that have been holding you back from deeper intimacy with God, and to dive into the deeper life He has for you in Christ Jesus. Whether it is taking something on or putting something off, I want to encourage you now as you make your plans for vacation to INCLUDE GOD IN THOSE PLANS.

For those of you with families and younger children, think about venturing into some new area during vacation. Maybe you could visit a historical place and talk about the importance of knowing the past. Maybe you could visit a place that has been significant to you in your spiritual growth and explain that to the little ones. Again, think about God and His commands when you make your plans for the scripture tells us, “Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again.” Deuteronomy 6:7b

Let us make some good plans this summer, that will help us live God’s plans for life!

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

A Pilgrim’s Prayer

Dear Worshipers,

We are only a few weeks away from beginning work on another combined work with community churches. We will celebrate America, honor our heroes, and exalt Jesus Christ. I am delighted to be a Suncrest United Methodist Church this year where my good friend Lya Stroupe is the Music Director. What a joy to work with her and others who love the Lord, and want to find ways to express that together. I am really looking forward to being at the Drummond Chapel campus of Suncrest UMC with their folks and many from other churches on the afternoon of July 1^st.

I am also looking forward to being in some public venue on July 4^th. And that is the matter of prayer that I bring before you again. I have been on a pilgrimage over the last several years to see our perspective on America being shared in a public venue. It has taken me through some turbulent waters, and I have learned a lot about the faithfulness of our God along the way. This year is no exception.

I have been in contact with the Chairman of the Celebration of America Committee for months. We have dialogued at length about the possibility of sharing a musical as a part of the community celebration. He has heard the work we are planning to share this year and has reviewed it with officials of BOPARC. We are being told again what we have been told before: that our Christian message is not appropriate for this setting particular because of the references to Jesus Christ.

Here is where things get difficult. I believe we have a right to freedom speak our views in the public forum that has been created on July 4^th. There are others who do not share this view. They need to be convinced otherwise.

This is what I am asking you to do. PRAY. Ask the Lord Jesus to give us a platform to declare His mercy over our community. Ask Him to open the necessary hearts and doors to ensure that can happen. Ask Him to change this situation.

He can do it. I am believing that He wants to do it. Will you believe that with me and go before Him with me until He does it, or changes my heart?

Thank you for partnering with me. Let us build His kingdom and not our own. Let us decrease so He may increase. Let us trust Him to move in these days and give us favor.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Unholy Satisfaction

Dear Worshipers,

I mentioned in our “tuning” from last week that I hoped to be able to write of Breakthrough this week. I am glad to say that I can. Our Tuesday morning Concert of Prayer was a wonderful time of being before the Lord. Our District Superintendent gave glory to God for the miraculous healing in his body, and also in his soul. It was a very powerful time as God broke through to many of the delegates, including me. As I sat there during one session of prayer when we had been encouraged to let the Holy Spirit speak, God did just that in a surprising way.

Our Director of Church Planting, Todd Sovine, had led the night before in an inspiring service about being “a Spirit-empowered church multiplication movement in which every church is strategically involved.” I wish you could have been there as we saw God’s hand at work all across our District creating partnerships and opening doors for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a stirring experience with a great personal challenge.

It the midst of one of the prayers I believe he prayed that God would give us an unholy satisfaction. I think he meant a holy dissatisfaction. I have to admit I was guilty of wrestling with those words and getting caught up there for just a minute. I thought about them after the service and then again the next morning. Little did I know what God was going to say to me through what I perceived to be a few apparently misspoken words.

As we journeyed through the Concert of Prayer, I asked the Holy Spirit to speak to me. I am confident He illumined that I have an unholy satisfaction with regard to our corporate worship. I believe He was saying to me that I have become content or satisfied with less that what He desires to do in our midst, including the greatest of His works which is to magnify Christ. I believe I have become satisfied with the work of man at least at times, instead of pursuing the work of God. I repented and asked Him to continue to speak to me about this. I would appreciate your prayers as I wrestle with this before the Lord.

I also want to encourage you to do your own wrestling. Ask the Spirit is you have any degree of unholy satisfaction. Is there any area of your life where you have become content with your relationship with or service to God and have stopped pursuing more of Him? Is there any way that you have become satisfied with anything less than all Christ has to offer to the children of God? If so repent, and ask God to speak His fullness into your life.

We will be satisfied with nothing less than the holiness of Christ, in position and practice! That is just a part of living the call together. Let’s do it!

In Christ,

Pastor Scott