Caldwell Cakes beware!

There is an up and coming cake making team at Caldwell Cakes that dares to be reckoned with. I do so dare.

The Scott Boys GingerBread Home Builders have picked up the gauntlet.

Note the apple on the left lawn. It is to hold up the sliding roof. Also, the use of fondant was forgone for the non-biodegradable and unedible plastic tray of lawn. The leaning of the figures in front is a statment regarding the chaos of Christmas and the family.

All done for $8.95 + tax from Wal-Mart. Kit complete with ingredients.

Moving Forward

I mentioned in a previous post about the kid's movie Meet the Robinsons that there was a quote from Walt Disney himself at the end of the film. The quote was about "moving forward," or to continue on despite setbacks. The lesson of getting beyond past failure needs to be learned and embraced by all. One time the characters even applauded failure by the lead because he had eliminated one way not to do something. Brilliant.

However, I believe that an even greater obstacle to moving forward is not the remembrance of past failure, but the fear of potential future failure. It is the question that speaks, "What if I blow it?" It is very real, and it can paralyze you at every step.

At houses of worship across the world we are told to "step out in faith." What keeps us from doing this is the thought, "Well, what if God doesn't come through?" I think we need to turn the question around. The new thought should be, "What if God does come through?" Instead of focusing on what might not happen, look to what would happen if things did work out! This is not some "power of positive thinking" scheme, but a push toward thinking positively enough to "keep moving forward." It will give you a push to try something that has never been done before because, quite frankly, it just might work.

I think Edison said something about finding 900 ways not to make a light bulb before he succeeded. You life might have 900 lessons on how not to make a friend, or build a relationship, or get a job, or whatever. Learn from these lessons, and move forward.

I had a boss/pastor who told me his motto. I was immediately impressed because I knew few people who had a motto. I was equally impressed with the motto itself:

If you are going to make a mistake, make a new one.

As Tumone and Pumba in the Lion King would say:

You have to put your behind in your past.

This one doesn't have the same ring to it, but you get the point.

Being a Christian is not something I do, but someone I am.

What do you want to do today?

I know what you are thinking... "Huh?"

It's an open ended question, though. The question is not, "What do you need to do today?", but a directive toward that nagging issue of desire. It is ironic because what I want to write about is the quote from the previous post, but I feel as if I need to get this off of my chest.

You see, my days are filled with things that need to get done. "To Do" lists are made and checked off accordingly. There are times when the need must wait for the following day, and there are also times when the list is completed early. The "productive" days of early completion are usually met with additional "needed" items that had either been put off from days before, or newly placed on the list by a phone call or an unplanned visitor.

To be honest, it all feels like running in the hamster wheel.

I'm tired of running in the hamster wheel.

I have taught classes on "Organization for the Un-Organized." Those that are around me sometimes feel as if I am an unorganized person. I really am not. I have a style that borders on the chaotic, it's true; but there is a rhyme and reason to it all. My problem is not my schedule, but the reality that my schedule is oftentimes set by others rather than myself.

There is a principle that I teach, but all too often fail to live by. The principle is this:

Don't prioritize your schedule. Schedule your priorities.

Simply put, schedule in times for the priorities and let every thing else find a place if it can. This is not shirking responsibility, but rather being responsible for things that really matter. Going a step further, it also means taking some time to schedule in your "wants" as well as your needs.

Think about this... "Who are you?"

I am a pastor, but I am also a husband, a father, a brother and brother-in-law, a son and son-in-law. I am an uncle and a nephew, as well as a grandchild. (This is beginning to sound like the song, "I'm my own grandpa.") I am a friend, a citizen of my country and my community. I am a leader, a Christian, and a human being. I could go on and on. With that in mind, the tasks of the job are only one piece of the puzzle. The other faces of my schizophrenic life must have their time as well. What do those parts "want" to do?

• I want to be silly with my boys.
• I want to hold my wife's hand.
• I want to write a book.
• I want to start a new ministry.
• I want to send the card and make the phone call.
• I want to take a nap without guilt.
• I want to influence and impact my community.
• I want to pray more.

Oh, there is more.

I want to dream.

I'm going to schedule a time for that.

Keep Moving Forward

Friday nights have become "pajama night" at the Scott home. The tradition is complete with the following elements:

1. Snacks purchased at Dollar Tree or Wal-Mart.
2. Meal planned of quick and tasty (although not healthy) food.
3. Movie rented or purchased from cheap movie bin at store.
4. Sleeping bags and blankets in the living room.
5. Everyone in pajamas or sweats.

Generally, the movie is picked out by one of the boys; and on an occasional adventurous night there is a double feature. This has become a well-loved tradition, especially by our youngest, Isaac. There are plenty of movies out there to view because there has been a cold spell of sorts as to our actually going to the movie theater. One movie that was out was the film Meet the Robinsons, and this was our choice for last night's viewing. Jonathan had actually seen it in school, which was neither here nor there other than the fact that I'm not sure why he saw it while in school. I digress.

The film was pleasant for all, and it ended with a quote from Walt Disney himself.

"Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things... and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."

I think it speaks for itself, but in the next day or two I will attempt to unpack how it speaks to me.

Wanted to give a quick note to reference the blog for my church about meditation (of sorts).

I feel as if I need to have two blogs, but they will probably tend to overlap.

Anyway:
bobscott.wordpress.com