Perspective: From My Hammock

Dear Worshippers,

On Saturday a small band of servants descended on our house. Knowing that I am not well enough to care for all the life that spring unfolds, they had come to help with a number of things outside. May God bless you, our wonderful North Martian friends.

Their work inspired me to get my hammock out. It took my a while to secure the two straps around two trees, but eventually, somewhat exhausted, I was able to recline in the peaceful support of my Mayan hammock, last years Father’s Day present from my boys. It is a great place to pray and ponder, and that’s a big part of why I have longed to get it hung.

Looking up through the trees, I thought of all the Lord has brought me through in this last season. Last Friday was four weeks since what Pastor Myron has called “Black Friday”, the day of my second (emergency) procedure. I continue to learn how serious my condition was, teetering on the edge of life. I praise the Lord for carrying me through and preserving my life. I thank each of you for your prayers.

As I was reflecting on all the Lord is saying to me and how He is changing me I stared through the branches above me. On first glance, they looked dead. No obvious signs of life on the limbs high over my head. But as I began to look more closely, I saw signs of life. Little buds here and there. Some already starting to open. Where there was the appearance of death, life was bursting forth.

I think that is how I looked those first hours and maybe even days following that Friday. It gave me an incredible new perspective on death and life, and the power of our Lord. Perspective is very helpful thing.

Perspective has been defined as “The ability to perceive things in their actual interrelations or comparative importance”. In other words, perspective helps you to see things clearly, as they actually are. This is helpful because we all bring preconceived notions of how things interrelate, assigning importance based on our point of view. But only when we attain the perspective of our Lord do we begin to see things as they truly are.

And so I ask you to join me in this change of perspective. What perspective do you have if you look through your life, as I looked through the tree? Do things look mostly dead? I hope not. Are there signs of life? There should be!

Seek God’s perspective on your life. You may not have a hammock to recline in but there is somewhere you can go to quiet yourself before Him. Ask Him today to show you something that He wants to change.

He who began a good work in you wants to complete it. [Phil. 1:6] I am confident of this, just as Paul was. What change does that require in this season? Will you allow God to do a new thing in you in these days?

He is changing me and let me say it is wonderful and painful. He is also at work in our church changing lives and wants to work in each of us to birth the kind of new life that will help us better declare the grace and peace only available in Him. I know you want to be a part of that. Join me, won’t you?

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Name Change – Of Sorts

Dear Worshippers,

Last week I challenged us all to consider if we are going through the motions or if God’s all-consuming passion is living inside of us. This sickness has caused me to think about such things. Though I am still trying to process and discern what God is saying to me through all this, one thing for certain, God is changing me. And I do not want to go back to living as I did before this experience. I would like your help to remind me of this change.

In the hospital they kept calling me Timothy. For those of you who did not know, that is my first name, with my middle name being Scott. For some reason, as I grew up my parents decided to call me by my middle name rather that my first and I just went with that through the rest of my life. I think it is time for that to change.

There is tremendous Biblical precedent for this of course. You remember Jacob’s encounter with God by the Jabbok River where he wrestled with Him “until [He] blessed” Jacob. You will recall that God changed Jacob by first touching his hip and then changing His name to Israel “because you have struggled with God”. [Genesis 32:22-28] There was great purpose in this name change, Jacob meaning “he deceives”. It signaled a much more significant, deeper change. Jacob was never the same after that encounter.

Again, I want that to be true of me because of the way the Lord has met me in this life-altering episode. As I laid there in my hospital bed and the nurses kept calling me Timothy, it occurred to me that maybe it was time to start being known by that name. I have always understood Timothy to mean “servant of God” and have wanted on more than one occasion to be known by that name. I learned during some research last week that a more common meaning is “to honor God, to fear God”. When I read that, it confirmed the change to me, with the timing being now.

I then got to thinking of the meaning of my names together. Scott means “traveler” or “wanderer”. When I put this with Timothy, basically my name means that I honor God as I wander. That sounds like a lifestyle of worship to me, the very calling that God has placed on my life. Amazing!

All that to say, I would like you to begin to call me by my first given name, Timothy. I know it may seem strange at first, having to adjust from Pastor Scott to Pastor Timothy, but it will feel more natural over time to both you and me. I may not always answer at first since it will take some getting used to for me as well, but I feel strongly about this change. It will help me, and you, remember this significant trial that God has brought me through, and maybe even help to highlight the changes He is producing in me as I learn how to better honor and fear His matchless name. Thank you for your help in this.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Going Through the Motions

Dear Worshippers,

I want to thank each of you for every prayer, every card, every meal, every call, every visit, every act of kindness that you have showered on me and my family through these difficult days. You have made them easier by showing us the love of Christ through His body. We are still getting to know you and yet you have loved us so well. To God be the glory!

I have had a lot of time to pray and reflect. I have thought about my personal life and relationship with Christ. I have thought about my family and how I cherish them. I have thought about the church and the ministry that has been entrusted to my care. I am so thankful to our Lord for sustaining me through this trial that I might enjoy each of these to a greater degree in the days ahead.

One thing for certain is that this time has disrupted any extent to which I may have been “going through the motions”. You know that feeling of just doing what you know has to be done and making it through the day. Every one of us has experienced some degree of doing something in a mechanical manner indicative of a lack of interest or involvement. Though I have to admit that I did not feel like I had gotten there since I had only at North-Mar for about seven weeks before this happened, this experience has given me time to reflect and try to make some decisions that will keep me from ever getting there.

I want to encourage you to think about this idea of “going through the motions”. This is not God’s desire for us. Jesus said that He came “that [we] may have life, and have it abundantly.” [John 10:10] The mechanical lack of interest or involvement of going through the motions does not lead to the abundant life. It requires a tremendous intentionality that is absent when we are simply going through the motions.

God wants us to give all that we are over to Him so that He can fill us with passion and purpose. If you know that, but are lacking it today, let me encourage you. It does not take a life-altering illness or something as extensive as this to help you break the cycle. You do not have to be at the end of your rope, if you will. You can make the choice to give Christ everything today and everyday no matter what you are facing. Though the following video is about an illness and the effects of it on another Christ-worshipper, I hope you can hear God’s message to you today through it. The words can be found at the second link.

Video: The Motions - Video Lyrics: The Motions

The question appears at the end of the video “What if we really gave everything?” Ask yourself that question, but even more importantly just do it. You can discover the answer as the Lord has His way in you and helps you break the cycle of “going through the motions”. Let go of the rope and experience the paradise of the abundant life Jesus has for you here and now.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

It's Not About Me

Dear Worshippers,

I really hated not being at church on Sunday. It was the first Sunday I have missed in twelve years of ministry due to sickness. But my reasons for being there have more to do with the fact that I would love to have experienced what God did through His servant leaders who filled the gap left created by my absence.

My philosophy of ministry centers around Ephesians 4:12 which explains the role of a pastor. It says that are "for the training of the saints in the work of the ministry, to build up the body of Christ..." There is more, but let me illustrate this much. I have only had a little hand in this but Pastor Nate leading the service, Bill Fleet leading the choir, Lindy Mink, Audrey and Doug Stern singing on the team [all for the first time], Cindy Furl sharing a Life Change Story, are all examples of saints engaged in the work of the ministry in a way that built up the body of Christ. Those things are not about me. They are about the Lord we serve.

When Pastor Myron shared the glowing report of the service yesterday with me I wept. One might think it was because it went well even in my absence leaving me with feelings of dispensability, but I already knew that. One might think it was because I love the church and really hated missing such a special service, and though this is true there was another better reason for tears. Good worship at North-Mar is "not about me" or any one of us. It's about Jesus.

It's not about me. That's the phrase that has been on my mind the last few days as I am reflecting what God is saying about my present condition. And He is saying that personally as well as pastorally.

Our oldest son Samuel commented "Mom, Satan really doesn't want Dad at this church does he?" As Pastor Myron rephrased that comment later asking if the Devil was going to have his way our seven year-old Isaac responded, "No way, Devil, no way!" Now this is coming from a couple of little boys who have had quite of bit of transition lately and whose dad who hardly ever gets sick is in the hospital. God is at work it this situation. It's not about me.

Don't misunderstand. I am careful not to make promises to my boys I cannot keep. i.e. "Dad will always be here for you", but rather I try to teach them that God is. Even now in this difficulty He is there. I am using this brokenness to show that God is always and ever there carrying us. He reminded me of that in Isaiah 46:4b just the other day, "I have made you, and I will carry you; I will bear and save you." Even in these words I see it's not about me, it's about my God.

Laying here in my hospital bed considering a surgical procedure tomorrow I am reminded once again, it's not about me. It's not that I am not involved here, but simply that God is ever doing something in and through us that is much bigger than us. I hope that whatever you are facing today, that perspective will help you face it in a way that will bring glory to the name of Jesus.

Though I am aware it’s not about me I am overwhelmed at every reminder that someone is praying for me. In the last few days I have been brought to tears as I have had others, either over the phone or in person, stop and pray for me. Thank you so much for all your concern and prayers for me and my family. Please keep praying. God is doing something new and we have only begun to see the very beginning of it.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

The New "Normal"

Dear Worshippers,

Coming out from under the weight of the last week and a half just today has given me some new perspective. I was able to go about some everyday routines without loosing my breath, a side affect of the back pain I had been experiencing. This gave me a new found appreciation for the the ability to do such things without really thinking about them, or wondering if I would be stopped in my tracks with a sharp pain. Thank you Lord.

As I reflected on this new perspective, I was brought back to the idea of all the newness at church. Though it can be painful to get to a new place, the perspective we gain with our arrival can be insightful at least, and life-changing at best. I will never listen to anyone speak of back pain again the way I did before.

Though I am not skilled enough to understand all that God has willed or planned through my last few days, my outlook on some things has changed. It that happening for you as well? I spoke with someone in choir recently about Bev's calling to another place of ministry and they were struggling with the whole thing. I shared with them my perspective on the unfolding scenario. Though immediately I thought, "Easter is only six weeks away", God quickly gave me some different thoughts. He is providing for Easter. He will provide for weekly ministry. We will provide for the choir ministry. He leads one away and raises up several to care for the needs created.

This got me thinking about our "Christian" life in general. The phrase that came to mind for my this morning was, "I guess this is going to be my new 'normal'." Let me explain to you what I mean when I use that word, and what has given me perspective on that.

Years ago a dear friend pointed out a work to me whose title I found intriguing. The book was The Normal Christian Life, by Watchman Nee. The authors name is honestly about as intriguing to me as the book title. Though I do not believe I read it through at the time, or ever have, on the basis of my exposure to it, and the recommendation of my friend I include this link where you can read the entire text online. The Normal Christian Life

This man led a very interesting life, standing up for his his faith in Christ in China, founding the house church movement, convicted he should not leave China though he was in danger, being imprisoned until his death for that faith. [You can read more about him here, Watchman Nee ] A remarkable man who by his own estimation was simply living the "normal" Christian life. You begin to see very quickly and clearly, that I am not thinking of normal as average.


No, the work of which I speak has been summarized like this

The Normal Christian Life is a Romans-centered exposition of what Christian living should be. The key verse is Romans 6:6: "Knowing this, that our old man has been crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be annulled, that we should no longer serve sin as slaves." Here in this book Nee brings an eternal perspective to the work of Christ (verses 7 to 11). The writings of Watchman Nee focus much on the enjoyment of the divine life, which all the believers possess, and the goal of God's work with man through His Son by His Spirit in this age.

That sounds like something I want to read. It sounds even more like something I want to live.

As God keeps doing this "new" thing among us, let's let Him redefine normal. I want life-change stories like the one Pam Smith told Sunday to be normal. I want to see people coming to North-Mar and meeting with God in a life-transformation encounter to be normal. I want you and me to enjoy living the Christ life, which we all possess, like we never have before. Friends, God is creating a new "normal" at North-Mar, and He is doing that by changing what "normal" is for each of us. Thank you Jesus!

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Purpose in Pain

Dear Worshippers,

Pastor Myron told me on several occasions that he was praying that February would go quickly and it did. The only problem with that was that I was barely able to keep up with it and by the time I had moved my family here last weekend the stress had obviously become more than my body could handle. When I am under a great deal of stress, my body generally lets me know with a nagging pain in my lower back.

For the last four days I have been a great deal of pain. I have not been able to sleep through the night, very unusual for me, due to its’ severity. I don’t remember a time before when I have been in this much pain. I made that comment to Sarah and she could remember a time when she was.

Each of the times she has gone through labor and delivery she has experienced a level of pain I never have. She said, “The difference was that it was pain that had a purpose.” A tremendous purpose I might say. Each time it produced one of our precious boys.

That got me thinking and praying. God has a purpose for everything we go through. He is very efficient and effective in His dealings with us. I began to wonder why He was allowing me to go through this and He brought several things immediately to my mind.

I do not have boundless energy. I have limits. When I cross them, well-intentioned though I may be, there will be consequences. I am not twenty anymore. [That last one came from the Lord by way of John Grundy. Thanks John]

A big part of the purpose of the stress I have experienced in the last couple of weeks was to get my family here. I had so enjoyed my first four weeks serving and settling into this wonderful church family. I can not express with words the blessing I anticipate for me and my family as we live and love at North Mar. I do not know the extent of it yet, but by faith am believing the Lord for it. Thanks for having us, and for the warm welcome I and now they have received.

Not every time we experience pain are we aware of the specific purpose it is producing. Scripture makes it very clear that there is always something being shaped when we experience pain. “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:16b-17

So that brings me to ask you, “Do you have that perspective on the light and momentary troubles you are facing right know?” God is helping me to deepen my understanding of what He is doing in me through this most recent pain. He wants to do the same in you. I just pray none of you have to feel I like I have to realize God’s activity in your life. I hope these words will help you today as you endeavor to live in a way that brings glory to our Lord. Thanks for your prayers.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Firsts and Fears

Dear Worshippers,

Last week I indicated that I would write today about Revelation and Response, but I would feel led in another direction. I will come back and pick up that theme sometime soon. Thanks for flowing with me as I endeavor to follow the Lord, in this and all things.

It occurred to me as I was praying this morning for my two oldest boys that they have experienced a lot of firsts in the last few days. Friday, they woke up for the first day in their new home town. Saturday, we moved into our new house. Sunday, they attended their new church. Monday, they attended their new schools for the first day. Today, they rode a school bus for the first time. That list is overwhelming for me to write, and even more so for them to live.

The reason is that with firsts come fears. Will I like this place, this house? Will anyone like me? Will I find and friends? What will it be like riding that new school bus? There are a lot of questions with firsts, and a lot of emotions that are right behind them.

I think immediately of the Israelites moving into the Promised Land. Sure, slavery was behind them, but what lay ahead? The first time in generations they would be without the yoke of their Egyptian masters left them feeling isolated and exposed, the downside to free. The Lord told them several times in Joshua 1 to be strong and courageous, just like I have told me boys, because He would be with them, and my boys. God said this because He knew they would be afraid.

Fear manifests itself in a number of ways. The “fight or flight” response is triggered. Anger, anxiety, paralysis, nervousness, bitterness, frustration, etc. Any of these emotional responses can be difficult to deal with but when they are layered the problem becomes even more complex.

This got me thinking about the “new” things God is doing in our church. There are people seeing God like they never have before. Some are getting involved with ministries they have wanted to serve in for some time. Some are stepping away. Others are struggling with changes in our Sunday morning services. All of these firsts can evoke the same kinds of fears.

So what fears are you facing? If not you, do you know someone who is mightily struggling with some “first”? Be filled with courage yourself and pour it in to others as we walk through these changes together. God has some wonderful things in store for His church. Let’s embrace them together.

Next week?...Revelation and Response.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Moving…Packing Up revised

Dear Worshippers,

Last week I wrote about mobility and the need to be ready to able to move as God conforms us to the image of His beloved Son and our Savior, Jesus. As I said then, I have moving a lot on my mind these days. I will be packing a truck tomorrow, Lord willing and driving it to Warren on Thursday. This would not be possible were it not for a lot of packing over the last couple of months, but especially the last couple of weeks, of which my dear Sarah has down the majority. Thank you, Sweetie.

Sarah and I spent many hours the first Saturday of January packing up our garage. During that labor I came across several things I had been holding onto that I thought I might need at some point. At least that’s my response to the question, “Why are you keeping that?” [I should say at this point that Sarah is very good for me in this among so many other ways in that she has helped me to purge my life of useless things on many occasions. Don’t tell her I told you that!]

Probably the best example of keeping something that had long ago lost its usefulness was the old, rusty fire place tools which we first purchased over 10 years ago while living in Nebraska. When we moved to Florida {remember I am talking about fireplace tools} she asked why I was moving them. To which I responded, “I might need them”. I didn’t. When we moved to West Virginia she asked again but this time why we were moving a set that was beginning to look ragged. Same response.

When I pulled them out of the corner of the garage on that day she just looked at me. Nothing needed to be said. I moved them to the curb with the rest of the items to be discarded. It had become obvious that these tools were now useless; even I could see that, finally realizing what she had known for years. She had been so patient with me.

Walking by that corner the last few days has been a delight. There is much more room there. The entire surrounding area is neater. The clutter has been cleared away.

So here is the question. What is stuck in the corner of your soul today? As you contemplate moving into a new year/season/place with your Lord, what is cluttering your life making it difficult to experience the margin that would otherwise help you enjoy it? What has become useless in your life that you may need to discard to make the journey a little lighter?

Consider this. Are you holding onto something that you need to put out on the curb? Do you need to let go of something to be able to move on with Jesus in the next episode? I pray that Spirit will tune your heart as you ponder these thoughts.

In the context of what Pastor Myron said Sunday, what does God want to prune away to prepare you for the growth He so desires in you. It may be painful to let go of something that seems dear, but as the Holy Spirit leads I want to encourage you to let go and watch God do it in you. I am learning many lessons these days, and I have my eyes wide open as Jesus is doing a new thing in me. What will He do in you today?

Next week…Revelation and Response.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Mobility

Dear Worshippers,

I have moving on my mind a lot these days. I have been unpacking boxes in my study in Warren for the last several weeks as my wife has been packing boxes at our house in West Virginia. A week from today we will load the truck to move our family to our house in Warren. The idea of mobility is very much on my mind.

But this is true for other reasons as well. As we think about the new thing that God is doing in our midst we must realize that it will require mobility. If God is going to do something new in us it will probably require that we get up from where we are and demonstrate our willing to go wherever He leads us.

This concept of mobility was ingrained in the Israelites whose encounter with God in the tabernacle we are pondering these days as we look at “The Heart of the Matter”. The entire tent of meeting was mobile. God was moving His people to the Promised Land revealing Himself along the way. You may be asking yourself, “What does this have to do with me?” Here is one way the Lord showed me the answer to that question last week as I prepared for Sunday’s worship service.

As I was making my final preparations for the media, I discovered a misspelling. The title of the message was “The Alter of Sacrifice”. As I began to change that to altar, the Lord showed me that it is at the altar that we are altered. Think about it in the context of Romans 12:1-2.

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The problem with living sacrifices is that they are mobile, they can climb down off the altar if you will. We of course are not speaking of an actual physical altar but rather a spiritual one. I believe the symbolism here is clear. Our heart is the altar, for it is ultimately where the altering occurs.

As you are being transformed today, because it is a daily process-not reserved for Sunday alone, where do you need to be mobile to go with God? As you are offering yourself to God wherever you find yourself, because it is not something you do only at church or at an altar built by men, where do need renewing to be more like God? As you are conforming to the mind of God, because you are no longer going to conform to the world, where do you need to think differently.

Be mobile. God with God. Get altered today.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

What Is It?

Dear Worshippers,

As I ate my bowl of frosted flakes this morning I reflected on that question, “What is it?” This was not a reaction to something floating in my cereal, but instead the Lord bringing back Pastor Myron’s words from Sunday morning. The Lord wanted me to be thinking about His provision for me today, walking through the activities this day holds with my eyes wide open to see His merciful hand. He wants to use frosted flakes and other ordinary things to show His extraordinary purposes and ways to us.

As I thought about this I realized that part of the reason the Israelites asked this question was because the manna was new. New is a theme for our church in these days, which I trust is finding expression in your life. They asked what it was even though God had already told them to expect it. They had received the quail the night before and then came this “new” stuff. And so I ask you the question, “What is it?”

“What is it”, this new thing, that God is doing in your life. What is it that God is providing for you to show you His grace and favor? What is it that will bless you today if you will receive it?

There was another nugget in that passage that confirms the constant activity and purpose of God. Right after God responds to their complaining by telling them He is going to bless them, He outlines the purpose of that provision very clearly. He says, “Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.” [Exodus 16:12b] God does not do the miraculous simply so we can be amazed. He does it with relationship in mind. See, he does not say,” then you will know that I am the Lord”. He adds two very significant words at the end of that phrase, “your God.” Amazing!

We can depend on Him not only because His is awesome, but also because He is ours. He is our God. He wants to show Himself to us today. He wants us to embrace His plans and purposes so that we can come to know Him better. What could be more exciting than that?

And so I want to encourage you to keep your eyes, ears, and heart wide open today. What is it that God is going to do for you? Though I do not know the specifics, I am confident of this. He wants you to know Him better when you lay your head on your pillow tonight than you did when you lifted it up from the same. He wants you to know not only that He is the Lord, but that He is your God. He wants you to know Him.

So as you go through the day, keep asking with each new twist and turn, “What is it”. You may be surprised at what the Lord provides. Depend on Him and all he provides.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

A New Thing

Dear Worshippers,

God is doing a new thing at North-Mar. If you were with us Sunday morning, I think you had a sense of that. So there is no misunderstanding, please know that this new thing is not about me, for it began before I arrived. There is feeling of anticipation among the people that we are entering a new season.

As I have reflected and prayed on this recently, there is a passage of Scripture God keeps bringing to mind. In the first 21 verses of Isaiah 43 God is describing Himself as Israel’s Redeemer as it will unfold through the comfort He will usher in as He restores them. I see some incredible parallels that I think are instructive for us in this season.

It opens with words of comfort for a people who have come through a difficult refining experience. It communicates again God’s purpose in that refining and redeeming. It reaffirms their call to know and declare the glory of God. It recounts His previous activity, and then swings into a powerful word of newness. Though I encourage you to read this whole passage sometime today or this week, here are the verses I read as we began this journey together Sunday morning.

19 Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it? …
21 This people I have formed for Myself;
They shall declare My praise.

Thank you for the joy of serving you in this season. Let us pray together for that new thing to unfold in our midst and for each of us to embrace it. If you have not read Pastor Myron’s annual report I want to encourage you to do that. I had not seen it as I made my transition but obviously the Lord is giving us His mind. I am excited. I hope you are too.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Meeting Together

Dear Worshippers,

In these couple of weeks between serving the Morgantown church where I have been for the last nearly six years and the Warren church where I am headed attending church has been very different. I have attended a couple of services with the boys and we attended another church as a family this past Sunday. Not having my normal responsibilities has been refreshing, but it has also left us with an entirely different approach to church.

I have been grumpy and have felt unfulfilled, even though I have really enjoyed the increased my time with family. This got me thinking about the role of church in our lives, not just because I am a pastor, but because we see the church as having such a significant role in encouraging us in the Christ life. Though the activities at church can be overwhelming at times and can dominate family life if one is not careful, I am so thankful for the blessing of being part of the Church, and specifically a local body.

As I reflected on this I was reminded of Hebrews 10:25. There are several “let us” admonitions leading us to this verse, “let us draw near…hold unswervingly...consider”, but the final two occur in this one verse. It says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Those verses have taken on added significant in this strange season between posts for me. I am writing to help me remember that for the future, and encourage you now.

I was looking for this verse and could not remember the address. I was searching for “gathering”, then “assembling”, until I finally came across it, thanks to some help from my helpmate. I don’t know about you, but the word meeting for me just is not very appealing. I think about a lot of talking and little action. I do not want church to be like that, and I am certain the writer of Hebrews did not imply that. Rather, the emphasis is truly on the word “together”.

Our new slogan for the Alliance is “Living the Call Together”. I love that. Because I view worship as a way of life, talking about the call as a lifestyle really resonates with me. But I really appreciate the last word as well. Together. That is how we are to do this thing. Not just the call, but the Christian life. This is meant to be done together. I praise the Lord for the wisdom of that. How many times when I have been discouraged, or frustrated, or indifferent has God used a fellow believer to speak something into my life that changed me and the situation? Many. I am so thankful that God gives us His Church to share life together.

So what about you? Are you thankful for the church? If you are attending but are not really sharing life then you probably are not. But if you are in others lives and are allowing them into yours you probably are. For those of you who have shared life with me…thank you. For those who will soon…thank you Jesus.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Thank You

Dear Worshippers,

It is with tears in my eyes that I write this. I am so thankful to the Lord for the ministry we have shared these nearly six years together. Saying farewell to some of you has been a very difficult experience and that is because the Lord has knit our lives together.

When I first began to consider what leaving Morgantown to answer God’s call would mean to me the analogy that came to mind was that of tearing cloth. I can hear that sound in my mind. Thank you for making yourself available for that knitting process.

Some of you have served in our choir. We have enjoyed many times of singing praise. We have laughed together and cried together. We have prayed for each other. God has enriched my life through many of you and for that I am grateful to both Him and you.

Some of you have been involved with our orchestra. We have supported the choir and congregation through the playing of instruments. We too have laughed. It has been a joy to serve the King with you, His instrumentalists. Thank you for your service, and the tapestries of sound He has woven through you.

Other have been involved in the worship team ministry. Your faithful service has been a blessing to me. As we have labored to lead the congregation in worship, each has brought their own unique set of talents and we have endeavored to meld it together for the glory of our Lord and the good of His people. Thank you for the privilege of leading you in this. It has been a blessing.

Others have assisted in the audio/visual area, the children’s music ministry and prayer teams. Some have served in roles that have never been acknowledged, for they were ordained by God and not by man. Still others have quietly supported and worshipped and praised. Your support has been more appreciated than you will ever know until we get to glory and I finally have the words to express it to you.

One of the lessons the Lord is teaching me is to make myself even more available to the knitting process. There are some of you whom I do not know as well as I would like to. Others of you have expressed the same to me. I intend to seek the Lord in my new place for His direction on which lives He desires to closely weave with mine. Please do the same.

It has been a delight to partner with you. You are in my heart. May God bless you in this season of transition. Grace and peace to you my friends in Christ Jesus.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Packing Up: Packrats Beware!

Dear Worshippers,

Sarah and I spent many hours on Saturday packing up our garage. During that labor I came across several things I had been holding onto that I thought I might need at some point. You know the response to the question, “Why are you keeping that?” [I should say at this point that Sarah is very good for me in this among so many other ways in that she has helped me to purge my life of useless things on many occasions. Don’t tell her I told you that!]

Probably the best example of keeping something that had long ago lost its usefulness was the old, rusty fire place tools which we first purchased over 10 years ago while living in Nebraska. When we moved to Florida {remember I am talking about fireplace tools} she asked why I was moving them. To which I responded, “I might need them”. I didn’t. When we moved to West Virginia she asked again but this time why we were moving a set that was beginning to look ragged. Same response.

When I pulled them out of the corner of the garage on Saturday she just looked at me. Nothing needed to be said. I moved them to the curb with the rest of the items to be discarded. It had become obvious that these tools were now useless; even I could see that, finally realizing what she had known for years. She had been so patient with me.

Walking by that corner the last few days has been a delight. There is much more room there. The entire surrounding area is neater. The clutter has been cleared away.

So here is the question. What is stuck in the corner of your soul today? As you contemplate moving into a new year/season/place with your Lord, what is cluttering your life making it difficult to experience the margin that would otherwise help you enjoy it? What has become useless in your life that you may need to discard to make the journey a little lighter?

Consider this. Are you holding onto something that you need to put out on the curb? Do you need to let go of something to be able to move on with Jesus in the next episode? I pray that Spirit will tune your heart as you ponder these thoughts.

Next week [my final Morgantown Tunings]…Thank You.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Enjoy Your Hot Chocolate

Dear Worshippers,

Our second son Isaac has a sweet tooth. The other night after the Christmas musical as I watched him enjoy a cup of scalding hot chocolate, I marveled at his ability to enjoy it even though it was so hot. His eyes lit up with every sip. I realized that once again I could learn something from my children, this time Isaac teaching me to enjoy the simple things in life. [By the way, this is the same Isaac who said Sunday morning that what he is looking forward to about Christmas is a new Bible.]

A dear friend forwarded this story to me last week. Many of you may have read it before, but in this season that can be so easily overshadowed with materialism I wanted to share it with those of you who haven’t.

The Wisdom in Hot Chocolate
A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired.
During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives.
Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot and an assortment of cups - porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.
When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said:
“Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you’re drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups. And then you began eyeing each other’s cups.”
Now consider this:
Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us. God makes the hot chocolate, man chooses the cups.
The happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And enjoy your hot chocolate!!

Enjoy your Christmas, whatever it is!

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

The Mystery of Christmas

Dear Worshippers,

A little over a week ago I was holding our six-month Aiden. He was looking at his newly discovered hands half wondering if they were connected to him. As he marveled in that possibility, I found myself surprised by an awakening to a different reality. It struck me in that moment that my Savior became helpless, like my little guy, because I was hopeless. Revelation and response, a life of worship. It is amazing that our Redeemer came as an infant! WOW!

As amazing as the incarnation is, Christ coming in the flesh, it is possibly surpassed by this. That God not only sent His Son, but graciously revealed that to us. That which was a mystery hidden since ages past, has now been revealed.

When I think of mystery, my first thought is, “I have got to solve this.” That is not at all what is going with the mystery of Christmas. God is not saying, “I sent my Son. Now, figure out why.” No, this is not a mystery that we have to solve, but one that has been revealed to us. John 1 explains that very well.

The Word Became Flesh
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " 16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. (NIV)

I am so thankful that God revealed and keeps revealing His mystery to us, because if He had not, I would never have figured it out. I probably would not have even tried, and if I had, I would have gotten tied up in the realities that did not make sense. Thank you Lord.

I want to encourage you to go through these last few days before Christmas with you eyes wide open. It is very easy to miss the things that God is trying to reveal to us, especially when our eyes are so fixed on the things of this world that we forget they are pointing to greater possibilities and realities way beyond them. I pray the Father would reveal the mystery of Christmas to you again, in some new, fresh way today.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Living the Call-Apart

Dear Worshippers,

Here is the text on my resignation as read on Sunday morning, December 7. 2008.

God’s Revealing

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

That is the vision the Lord gave for this ministry upon my arrival early in 2003. I have endeavored to live that before you and with you over the last nearly six years. The Lord has shown Himself on numerous occasions and we have responded together. What a privilege it has been to lead you in each of those moments.

These last few months the Lord has shown me something about Himself and His purposes for me. Those of you who have been reading my Tuesday Tunings know that I have been thinking about talents and investments. I said that if we make investments into our talents they become strengths. I challenged the readers to discover their talents and invest in them.

As I was talking and teaching about this, I was experiencing it as well. The Lord was leading me into some new and different challenge for me to serve with the talents He has given me and to grow further in the journey He has laid out for me. He began stirring within me a desire for some change, either internally or externally.

The Lord was cultivating in me a desire to be exceptional in the exercising of my talents for His glory. He began this work in me through a number of different circumstances, as He often does, but it took me a while to perceive what He was doing. I even denied it for a time, trying to ignore it or at least its implications, but once I was willing to open my eyes to see the hand of the Lord, I had to respond in obedience.

My Response

I have accepted the call to serve as the Pastor of Worship of North Mar Church of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Warren, Ohio. This letter serves as my resignation of my duties here effective January 15, 2009. Though sad about leaving Morgantown, I am excited about the prospects for ministry in a place I believe the Lord has prepared me for and prepared for me. I believe the next set of good works prepared in advance for me to do [Ephesians 2:10] are in another place.

As the Lord wills, I plan to begin in Ohio the beginning of February. I appreciate your prayers through this time of transition as I anticipate that it will not be easy to leave a place and a people that are so dear to me. Though not always easy, when the Lord shows Himself, His purposes and His ways we must then choose to respond. A life of worship is made up of many choices to respond in ways that allow the Lord to reveal Himself. I pray He has and will continue to enable me to make such choices to characterize my life.

In closing, I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve you and this body for the glory of Christ. I pray God’s clear leading as you move forward through this transition. I trust Him for kingdom advance through the church that sent me once, and now must release me again.

Thank you and may the Lord Jesus Christ continue to reveal Himself to you, and give you the grace, wisdom and courage to respond…in worship.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Advent: The Cost

Dear Worshippers,

We have now come to my favorite time in the church year, with possibly the exception of Easter. Advent is a time preceding Christmas when we anticipate the arrival of the Lord Jesus, both the remembrance of His first and the expectation of His second. This sense of anticipation is seen in the face of children as they wait to open those gifts under the tree.

As I spoke with Pastor Miller about his focus through this coming season he mentioned he will be focusing on Christ’s Second Advent. Then He asked if we could do something special on December 21, the last Sunday before Christmas. He would like to have all the children come up front and have Pastor Etris randomly ask them wait they are anticipating about Christmas. I am sure this will be a precious time as we hear their perspectives on “arrival”. The thing we probably will not hear is a sensitivity to the cost of those things which they are anticipating.

How often do we approach this season with a similar sense of expectation which is void of a deep sense of the sacrifice of our Lord to come? Our family tries to gather around our Advent wreath at home each night and read Scripture, sing and pray that we would be mindful of every aspect of our Lord’s coming in the flesh. One part of that is the cost to Him.

I do not know what the traditions or habits are for each of your families, but I want to offer you a resource I discovered recently. Below you will find a link that will take you to a pdf file from what I believe to be a trustworthy source. It examines through Scripture, a brief reading and a couple of questions the cost of this season, from the perspectives of many of the characters. I hope you will find it a useful tool as you prepare your hearts once again to worship the Christ this Christmas.

The Cost: Christmas Devotional

Though I have not read every word on every page, I recommend this resource to you and your families as a tool to aid you in your worship through this Advent season. I pray for you that your encounter with the Christ through this will heighten your anticipation of the coming of our Lord. Whether you use this tool or some other one, be sure to take some time during this busy season to stop and celebrate the One who has come in the flesh.

Merry Christmas to you! [I love being one of the first people to send that greeting every year.]

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Gratitude…Changes Everything

Dear Worshippers,

As I was preparing for our Thanksgiving Eve service last week, I watched again a video that will use to set the tone for the service. One of my most vivid memories in worship at our church came during one of these services a couple of years ago when Jack Clise gave this brief testimony, “I’m thankful that I’m six feet up instead of sic feet under.” Now that’s perspective.

It’s that kind of perspective that our opening video and time of quiet reflection will seek to cultivate. 2008 has been a very interesting year for most people. Frankly, it’s been a year where our gratitude levels might be low. But is there something beyond our circumstances to be grateful for? Of course there is. Watch how this video puts it. [This link takes you to a page that has a small-scale full-length preview (2.31) of the video on the site where I purchased it.]

Thanksgiving 08

Though you have seen the video, I hope you will come and worship with us tomorrow night.
The service is at 6:30. I hope you can join us as the elders lead us through a time of praise, thanksgiving and prayer. My prayer is that it will cultivate an “attitude of gratitude” within the hearts of everyone present.

As the video says, gratitude changes everything. If you can look at your current circumstance with gratitude, not because of it, but because God is right there with you in the middle of it, your countenance changes. Even if you can not see God, and do not feel that He is there, but believe that He is, gratitude can blossom. It brings to mind I Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I know you want to be in God’s will. Then give thanks…in everything, not because of everything. Little word, big difference.

Come and experience that difference with us Wednesday night. Share the video with someone who can’t be there. Exercise gratitude, this Thursday and beyond, and watch everything change, as you do.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

Giving Thanks

Dear Worshippers,

I began to explore the idea of talents and gifts last week. I talked about how if we call certain things we have an aptitude for or are good at gifts, this implies there is a giver. I encouraged you to think of your abilities as talents, and told you this week we would begin to consider how we identify our talents.

As I reflected on this it occurred to me that Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I am planning services now that will highlight this response to God is this most Christian of seasons. The world has not been able to crack the code on how to commercialize this one yet. Praise the Lord for that!

As you think about what talents you have been blessed with, one easy way to begin to identify them is to think about what you are most thankful to God for, and what others seem to thank God for about you. For example, I was talking with someone today who has the gift of encouragement. This person also has the ability or talent of listening well. This is a good match for someone with encouraging gifts. This person was listening to me and encouraging me as I shared some things with them. As the conversation wound down, I affirmed his encouragement as a gift from the Lord, and his use of it a blessing to me and a delight to the Lord.

It was not the first time I had told this person thanks for using that gift and talent, but they seemed surprised that I identified it. Actually, he has each time. I think it is genuine humility at work here, but I was surprised that this person seemed taken aback by my acknowledgement of their use of God’s gifting in them. I think many people are unaware of their gifting and talent.

Think about yourself for a minute. What are you thankful about when you evaluate your life? Are you thankful that you enjoy helping others? That you seem to have a knack for organizing? That people really enjoy being with you? That you are always thinking about how to include more people in what you are doing? Or any other number of talents.

Identifying your talent is the first step toward making it into a strength. Once you identify your talent, then you can begin to make investments in it and allow the Lord to make it into a strength. If you don’t, you are not being a good steward.

Often times we focus on what we are not good at, and work on these areas. There is profit in that discipline. But we might gain a higher return on our investment if we start with something that we are already good at or really enjoy doing.

Think on that these days and determine as you approach Thanksgiving what talent you are going to thank God for…and invest in through the end of the year.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott