Capture and Keeping the Presence

Some met for a time of prayer last night at the church. There is a sense that we need God and His Will more than ever in our lives, and in turn, the ministry here in Shelbyville. It is a small beginning, but we aren't hindered by that fact.

As I began to pray, I sensed in a very real way that God was with us. I even almost spoke to those there about being "aware" of God's presence, but I simply remained in a state of awareness myself. I welcomed Him there, and continued to simply invite Him more and more. After a few moments, and I don't know when the switch happened, but I realized that I was no longer aware of God, but had begun to focus on some Christmas decorations that were in a box on the floor. I thought of the layout of the room and how it would be decorated, and my mind wandered.

I know that this simply sounds like an attention-span problem, but there was something different happening. I sensed that this was a picture of a large portion of the body of believers. We become aware of the presence of God for a moment, and are even awed by it. Then, we become distracted. This leads to a basic "forgetfulness" of God. You see, we don't hate Him; we just ignore Him. This is not done in a vicious way, either; but it happens at a sub-conscience level that manifests itself into the conscience. At the risk of creating a maddening cliche, Christmas is remembered more than Christ.

So, I wonder...
How do we capture the presence of Christ, thereby keeping that presences real and in the forefront of our mind?

We must find ourselves in the presence of God, then we must be changed by that presence.

I'm going to Israel in March, and I learned something yesterday afternoon about the Wailing Wall. The protocol is that you pray with your hands against the wall. When you are finished, you back away 5 paces or so, with you head still bowed and while still facing the wall. Then, you turn with your head bowed and walk away.

In Jewish tradition, you do not turn your back on the presence of God.

Global Warming... er... Climate Change

I have found in my exhaustive research (or maybe it was just not being stupid of people and attitudes) that the environment tends to be one of those "either / or" issues. Note: I don't think it really is but since we label people if we hear those certain trigger phrases come out of one's mouth it becomes an "either/or."

If you believe warming/climate change then you are a wacko, tree-hugging liberal OR if you question the premise (at all) then you are a earth-hating, money-hungry Republican. I will note that you will never be called a "conservative," but you will automatically fit into the Republican camp (with the big "R"). This is how some (a lot) think, so you better get used to the labeling!

I have my views, and will further explain them beginning soon in a new blog I am working on, but for now I veer from the usual fodder of the site to simply observe that:

This thing is genius for those who want to capitalize on it!

"What do you mean?" you gasp. "This is a real threat!" Well, that is not really the debate here, but the opportunity for some to cash in is.

Here goes:

If the entire planet gets 178 thousand degrees in a few years, those in power can say, "Big business pushed us past the breaking point. If only we would have started sooner. Maybe now we can punish big business" However, if it all turns around, then it can be said, "Look what we have done! Our efforts at saving the planet have worked! We must not stop the Utopian process. More, more, more!!!!!"

You see?

Win. Win.

Water and the Wine

This past weekend I was attacked by the worst case of Strep that had ever been documented. This was not actually told to me by the clinic because of concern for my mental stability in my already weakened physical state, but I am sure they taken the proper procedures to see that my case is studied. I think I need a team, like the elephant man.

Thursday I did begin antibiotics and went through the process of resting my body, in general, and my throat in specific. Being a pastor and needed to speak on Sunday morning, it was imperative that I rested as much as possible. God, and Holly, were gracious to me.

On Sunday morning, I spoke about "giving" by using the 22 chapter of Luke as a backdrop. This was a perfect passage because I was not (and will not be for the next few weeks) focused on financial giving. The thought was, using the "Lord's Supper" as a launch, that Jesus was not focused on giving from Himself, but of Himself. He gave His body and His blood in order that all might receive HIM.

So many times we are content to give an item, when we really need to focus on giving ourselves. Anyone can donate, but when is the last time you put down the pen and the check and poured yourself into a cause. Not to make light of it, but it comes down to the difference between having eggs or bacon. The chicken makes a donation. The pig makes a commitment. Your life is meant to one that is given to others. It's a commitment that matters in the long run.

If just would have given from Himself to you, then there would be less for me. However, He gave of Himself. He gave His life for you, and me, and then you, and you, and you...

Enough for all.

Enough, now that is a startling word. When is the last time I had "enough?" I will ponder on that one a little while.

As a follow-up and finish to the message, I had a table of communion (bread and juice) prepared for the people in the congregation. However, during my message I walked over to the table and demonstrated as I spoke. I mentioned the idea of the "dipping" meal, and I dipped the bread into the cup. The imagery stunned my for a moment.

The "body" covered in "blood."

Then, because of the throat concern, I had a glass of water near me. I mentioned that at times water is included in the communion meal. Blood and water flowed from His side. I mentioned that when wine is used instead of juice, the taste with the bread takes on a bitterness that is really more appropriate as to the nature of the remembrance. The water, then, will cleanse the bitterness like the refreshing of the Spirit. As I spoke of this I took a small drink of the water. I cannot explain the emotion and overwhelming awareness of God that I experienced at that moment.

The bitter sorrows of my life washed away by a cleansing of the Spirit. The process that I could never accomplish on my own is achieved in the death of the One called Savior. All I have to do is receive.

Wow.

The Love / Hate of Politics

To dream, or not to dream... ah, there is the rub.

I love politics, and I hate it. It reminds me of the joke from the mental hospital:

Roses are red, violets are blue. I'm a schizophrenic, and so am I.

Lovely.

I love the thought that ideas can be debated and exchanged. The notion that we are all in it for the same purpose, the betterment of the country, with only the nuances of how the system can accomplish it's goal being different. I love that we wave the flag and shake hands with our colleagues and are in awe of the halls of Congress.

I hate that it has become about sound-bites and rallying the crowd. I hate that the only thing that is said is what the particular group you are standing in front of wants to hear. I hate that if you are "for" something it automatically means that you are violently against something else. I hate that the ones who are for "less government" are taking away our freedom and liberty and those who are for "equality for all" are willing to deny the rights of those they don't agree with.

If you have a "D" by your name you are seen as a whack-job and if you have an "R" your are seen as a war-monger. I hate that we label just as soon as we hear a thought. In this, we don't hear all of the ideas of anyone, OR we just assume that we know what is meant because they are one of "them." (Insert any party)

We need to heed the words of Franklin as to our government. We have,

A Republic, if you [we] can keep it.

This means we look for leaders who we trust enough to do what is right, even if it is not popular. This means we look for leaders who will stand on the basic principles this country was founded on, not just the whim of the day. This means we actually get involved in the process, while respecting the rights (and actually, mandate) of others to get involved as well.

Oh, and I have a way to fix the problem with Social Security.

New Blog for Gateway Church

As pastor of Gateway Church in Shelbyville, TN, I have attempted a blog in the past just for those interested from a local church prospective. I am making a renewed effort to use this other blog for a resource related to sermons, teaching, etc.

I will have a link to this blog on the side, and I wanted to explain what it was.

http://bobscott.wordpress.com/

An Example to All

I have started eating green beans.

I hate green beans. I always have. I like peas, which is odd, but I hate green beans. However, I am apparently an example to my children, so I have started eating green beans.

I had 5 last night.

Rite of Passage - Wax On Style

A rite of passage was taken by my boys on a recent family movie night.

They saw The Karate Kid for the first time.

It was slow at first, but they now can understand references to "wax on... wax off". After the crane kick thing at the very end, they practiced karate on each other for a while.

It was a beautiful moment.

Oh, and I was gone on Saturday, and they watched it again.

Yet another fundamental difference between the ages.

The other Monday night I realized a fundamental difference between a child and an adult. Holly and I were in the van most of the day, well... the entire day. We traveled to do some errands without 2 of the 3 boys, with the theory that it would be easier that way. We handled our business, only to see that we were running kind of behind. A 40 minute travel later and we checked the other 2 out of school for doctor appointments. Then, we traveled 45 minutes BACK to where we were for the visits. The extra time was because of traffic. Our plan was to get home earlier in the evening, but this was shot because the appointments took longer than expected.

Now to the difference:

When we got home an hour or so before the kid's bedtime, all I wanted to do is sit and watch tv. I was spent. The boys, however, were ready to go, and wrestled, played with a balloon, and ate and ate. When I'm cooped up, it zaps me. When kids are cooped up, they become wild freakazoids that chomp at the bit to run around and destroy a house.

Spirit of Adam

Where is the creativity in the Church? I realize that this is a generalized question, and there are some that are very creative, but I am talking about the Church as a whole.

We serve the creative God. We are made to be in His image and likeness, so creativity is to flow from us as well. All too often, however, we (the church) simply rips off what the world is doing. We do need to speak to our society, but we need to innovative as well.

Where is the song that has never been sung? What painting has never been displayed on canvas? I speak more about this in a previous blog entry.

Briefly, I believe that the problem is that we don't know what to call what we do, so we don't "do" it. We feel that it must have a title or something easily recognizable to be considered "ministry" so we just allow thoughts to flow through our brain, never seeing the light of day as action.

In the garden after creation, Adam was given the job of naming the animals. They had never been named before, but he was naming what had been created out of nothing. I believe that God wants us to put those nameless things that are stuck bouncing around in our spirits into action, and then worry about naming them later, as well as stop worrying that another person cannot name it for us.

In other words, creation doesn't just make what is already created, but it creates something new. Then it works to figure out what it is called.

We need the spirit of a pre-sin Adam, in that we create the new, and then allow God to give it a name.

Blessings to Burdens

I have noticed that we as a society are generally ungrateful. I was in the post office a day or two ago and the lady next to me asked me if it was supposed to rain. Now, I 'm not Willard Scott, but I know enough to look at the sky as well as to never trust a Nashville Weatherperson. By the way, a Smuckers "Happy Birthday!" to beautiful Erma Lee from Idaho Falls. She turns 103 today.

"It's supposed to rain, they say. But who knows if you can trust them?" I responded. The sky was ominous, but I realize that it probably wouldn't do much of anything. She then said, "It sure does look like it, but I hope it doesn't!"

I don't know what this lady had planned for the day, but we have had a drought of almost biblical proportions in Middle Tennessee. How could you hope it doesn't rain?!? That's absurd! When it actually did rain a month or so ago I stood in it and smiled.

This is so typical of the average person. The thing that we pray for and hope for comes, and we turn it into a burden. I'm not talking about the things we beg God for that are not good for us, and then we find out later that there was a reason that we weren't supposed to have them. I speaking of the things that are good, and we call them bad because they are inconvenient for us at the time they come.

We pray for a baby and are upset because of pregnancy sickness.

We get the loan for our dream home and then get overwhelmed with the process of building a house.

The rain comes to end our drought and we curse the postponement of our golf game.

Geez people. Get content wherever you are!

Hail to the Chief, Pet Cemetery & Pumpkins

Hail to the Chief:
Jonah comes home from school Monday and says, "I'm the class president." We, of course, are shocked because we hadn't even put up a poster. On Friday, we had checked him out of class early for some reason that I don't remember, and when he went back to school on Monday he found out that he had been elected in his absence. On a side note, that's usually how I get volunteered for things.

Anyway, they told him, "Jonah, you're class president." "What?" he asked/said. "Yeah, Sarah nominated you and we voted for you." Now, Jonah and I began to hum the song Hail to the Chief while Holly asked him if he got paid for the job. We found out it is a classroom thing, rather than a fourth-grade thing. This led to my question as to if he gets to run for president of presidents. Good times.

Pet Cemetery:
I'm pretty sure the movie had a different spelling, but you get the idea. We have two dogs, a mommy and her stupid, but lovable son. The mommy apparently "got married" to another dog in the neighborhood and had a premature puppy. Yes, just one. It was a combination Chihuahua and miniature Doberman Pincher. We called it Chancho, and it died. Sorry to cut to the chase, but it didn't live long. Why we named it, I'll never know; but I don't make these types of decisions at our home. Anyway, it's a dad's job to bury dead things, so I did. For two days straight, a dog (one of ours or random neighbor's - I don't know) tried to dig up Chancho. They did, but didn't remove him; out of respect for the dead, I suppose. I had to rebury him twice, covering the sacred ground with three bricks and a spare tire the last time. I really expected to see the little rat dog roaming the neighborhood, then biting someones feet off in a fit of "undead" rage. May he now rest in peace.

Pumpkins:
Had to throw it in, because I found out this morning that I was to go on a field trip with Jonathan today. We went to a pumpkin patch. It was fun.

The thing that I realize is that my kids run their schools!

How 'bout them Cowboys!!!!!

Last night, I got to watch one of the most enjoyable games in a while.

I love the Dallas Cowboys. I grew up loving Tony Dorsett and others. I loved Emmitt and Troy and Michael. I did not like Parcells, so I'm glad he's gone. I love how Tony Romo plays.

All of that said... if they had lost last night, it would have been no big deal. Everyone loses. I would not have lost sleep over it. However, I did lose sleep by watching the game.

The main reasons that I watched the game was two-fold:
1) I like the cowboys, and for the morbid curiosity of how many interceptions that Romo could throw (apparently 5) and,

2) I could not get up out of my chair. I have been working on tiling a floor for some friends of ours, and I am so sore that I can't hardly move. I sat down, and it hurt to get up, so I didn't.

The blessing of all of this is that I got to see and onside kick recovered; a completion and spike with 1 second left ruled a non-completion; two quick passes and out of bounds completed with the time put back on the clock from the before mentioned incomplete pass; an apparent made field-goal that was nullified by a last minute time out by a cheating Buffalo Bills coach; then the kick actually made that put the 'boys up 25-24 with time expired!

I actually laughed out loud, and woke my wife up down the hall in our bedroom.

Good times!

My wife is brilliant!

Beautiful too, but I digress.

Last night I mentioned to Holly that I am trying to be a great husband and a father, but I feel like I fail so often at both. She said, "Maybe you try to hard. Maybe you should just be you."

She's right. She's also opening herself up for a great patience test.

Roles in family and ministry - thoughts in process...

I am working on some things in my head and heart about “order in the home” and it carried over to order in the ministry and this community. I thought about people stepping out of their God-defined roles. The thought occurred to me that, “Just because you can, does not mean you should.” There may not be a father/husband to act as the spiritual leader, but that does not mean you should step into that role in the family. You could probably “do” the job, but it does not mean you should. We are simply required to walk in the authority and role that God has called us to, and let Him (God) handle the empty places. It’s like this, if something happened to Holly, then I could be tempted to be both mom and dad to my boys. The fact is that things would never operate properly if I attempted that. All I would need to concentrate on is being the best dad that I could be (my God-given role), and pray that God would fill the other needs. If I operated outside of my role then I will never be truly effective within my role.

The phrase, “just because you can, does not mean you should,” moved my thoughts into ministry. I am the new president of the ministerial association here, and I am attempting to take the ministers into new relationships and thought processes. There have been those in the community who have had the ability to “take over” within the confines of “church” growth and success. The problem is that when they start trying to build their church, the kingdom church gets lost in the process. I could imagine them thinking, “Man, we can build this (their church/ministry)!” rather than thinking, “How can our church/ministry help build THIS (the Kingdom)?” Even our ministerial association should have the thought process not of building the association, but how can the association build the Kingdom? Our denomination should not be wondering how we can build the machine, but how can we find our place and work with others to build the Kingdom?

What is my place, and how can I plug in for the Kingdom’s sake?

Contemplation... this is where I fail.

Quote from the book, “Wasted on Jesus”

Inward contemplation that does not issue forth in outward action will become
stagnant and lifeless, like the water in the Dead Sea, because it has no
outlet. On the other hand, outward action that is not preceded by inward
contemplation will be devoid of revelation.

The Struggle

If my struggle is not supposed to be against flesh and blood, why does the flesh and blood get on my nerves so much?

I've taught it, researched it, and wrote about it; but living it is another thing altogether. I believe that the enemy of our soul knows that he has a harder shot winning in a battle of the spirit. He (satan) does believe that he can win, because that is what pride is all about (thinking more of yourself than you ought). However, he knows that the easier battle is the one in the flesh arena.

You see, there is enough me in me that I blow it on a regular basis. I don't have to blow it, and some days are better than others, but I blow it. In the flesh, the guy in front of me when I'm in a hurry becomes the battle; and I forget the real battle is within me. This guy is not my enemy, but the anger that swells up over nothing is! The enemy is not the woman walking by, but the lust that lurks within is! To take a stupid word play on it, it's the enemy ina me.

On my knees in awareness of the Holy Spirit working in my life, satan has no chance. He will still fight and be stubborn, but he doesn't have a prayer. (Now that's irony!) When he sees that there is still too much "bobby" in me, he does figure he has an easier shot, so he seems to go for it with full force.

I must crucify that flesh, so that the Spirit of God is dominant in me.

Strangely

Riding to school this morning, Jonathan talked of a cartoon that he does not watch, but had an idea on.

"Dad, you know Dora? It's weird, she tries to teach everyone spanish when they don't want to learn. And, she talks to animals... strangely. It's strangely because Diego's kind of cool... (long pause)... but not really."

This led to a mini-conversation about Go Diego Go. Now, the marketing people missed this one. Dora, while popular to little girls, never achieved her true fame because part of the market (boys) was totally missed. Dora's cousin, Diego, was seen in a few early episodes, and now has his own show. However, the Dora train has left the station, and they just can't pull the boys in with this one. I have had this conversation with my son, Jonah, apparently, because...

Jonathan (after realizing that he almost said Diego was cool): "It's OK, but..."

Jonah (age 10): "Yeah, dad. They came out with Diego too late, didn't they?"

Dad (me): "They probably did. It's OK, though. Some people like it."

Jonathan: "Yeah."

Jonah: "Yeah."

All I was thinking was... "strangely??"

Chuck E. Cheese

Went to a birthday party on Friday night for my nephew, and by piggy back (because we had already had a party), for my son who turned 10 on Tuesday.

Chuck E. Cheese, for those of you who have never been there, is simply a crooked casino for kids. Nothing more, and nothing less.

Also, there is a giant rodent who dances a birthday dance with one and all. My kids used to be terrified of him, as well as all other puppet like creatures.

I am afraid of spider monkees, as well as other things small and chaotic.

9/11 - I Remember

For those of you who think that the term "9/11" is overused or now a political tool or a cover-up of a government plot or anything else, I open this short blog to say, "I don't care about your agenda or lack thereof."

I remember getting a semi-late start that day when my wife came to me and said, "Turn on the TV. Something's happening in New York. The World Trade Center has been hit by a plane." She had taken our oldest son to his mother's -day-out and had heard a report on the radio. We stood in shock viewing the events unfold before our eyes, and prayed for the people involved. We did not yet understand that this was an attack on our nation, and it was our son's 4th birthday, so we moved forward with the events of the day.

We took cupcakes to his class (which is why he went to school that day anyway) and then checked him out for a short day at the Nashville Zoo. The roads were quiet, and we noticed that police cars blocked the entry to the small, local airport. The zoo was also quiet, with most children being in school. We began to pick up on the reports that this was, in fact, an organized attack, and our prayers shifted to our nation and it's leaders.

So, I remember:

Life goes on for a child. In the middle of turmoil, I must keep a clear head and allow things to be as normal as possible for the innocent among us, even if it means a trip to the zoo.

The man who didn't call his own family, but led co-workers (who were all about to die together) in a prayer while sitting helplessly in the offices in the floors above the crash site.

That we are not guaranteed the next second.

That we didn't start this. However, we were willing to step into what was already started and stand up for ourselves.

That most will not remember.

Schizophrenia

There's an old joke that goes like this:

Roses are red, violets are blue. I'm a schizophrenic, and so am I.

This statement defines me when it comes to several things. For one, whenever I take personality tests I come out as the guy who is comfortable in a large group setting and taking charge, but would love to be marooned on an island with only my thoughts to guide me. When it comes to music I love the wail of a hard guitar and drum beat, but also want my wife and I to find a back alley coffee shop with Norah Jones playing a solo set. I am a pastor, yet I find the religious community generally gets on my nerves (however, I really am working on this last one.)

In my worship context, I find that there is something about me that is different than a group that I am a part of. So, in essence, I am now not only schizophrenic within myself, but schizophrenic with those who are like me. When it comes to music (which we have mistakenly labeled "worship") I find that I want to be cut. I want to groan because of the truths proclaimed not only by prophetic voices but from the instruments as well. I want the feeling to cause me to fall to my knees as I become aware of a holy and loving God. I want the struggle and the joy of this understanding to bring laughter and weeping at the same time. I want to dance, even though I will look silly doing it. I could stay in this place forever.

When it comes to the Word (which we have labeled "preaching") I want to learn. I want to learn not just for learning sake, but to be changed. I want to be opened up by the scalpel and let a work be done in me with surgical precision, and I want to be changed because of this procedure. I need to hurt for a moment after the truth is revealed; yet I also need to be drawn to the one who can heal the hurt.

This differs from others in my tradition in a couple of ways. One, music should not last too long and should generally make you shout before a sermon, and weep after one. Two, the sermon is the most important thing, and should also make you shout, unless you need to repent (read: not already a Christian), and then you need to weep. There is worship, then the word, and they are not the same. The worship (read: music) is not more important than the word, and the word should be told loudly and charismatically. Anything less is dead. That reminds me, a vast number of cliches should be used if those in the audience are not responding (read: shouting) to the preaching of the word correctly.

I know this sounds like I am against the others, but I am not. I do not like to define myself by what I am not, so I just want to give my ideas and say that I am not some people I am supposed to be like.

I believe that I can be changed in the presence of God however it is that I enter into His presence. I also know that when we worship God, He meets with us. When He meets with us then others (even those who do not know "how" to worship) can be changed by His presence. The Bible is referred to as a "sword," but all too often it is used as a club to beat an unbeliever over the head with. I believe it is a weapon against the enemies of the spirit (Satan) and a knife for surgery in the believers. I want to be inspired by and stand in child-like awe of the Creator and King of all. I want my culture and world to be impacted because I know God, and He knows me.