Scott Clark

Omyga...Omyga....

2010-02-15T18:45:00.000-05:00

I cannot stop laughing at a special behind the scenes video I made in preparation for one of our upcoming videos.

No, ha ha I cannot show you it yet bcuz it might ruin the fun, but I can tell you that I am sending it to our Pastor and my Co-staff for the enjoyment and edification.

AND I WILL ASSURE YOU that I will post it here for you as well after we show the ACTUAL video I am making.

TRUST ME don't miss Sundays @ Journey.... EVER. God Is THAT Good!!

Psalm 29:7-9

2010-02-03T21:38:00.000-05:00

The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh
The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth
And strips the forest bare
And in His temple all cry "Glory!"

What a beautiful description of the owner in who hands I securely rest. The same owner of the unending universe that ripped the darkness from the night sky with the words "let there be light". The same author and lover of the human race that has almost spent its entire existence perverting His creation and worshiping the created, myself included. And still, the same owner of the precious tree that provided the wood for the cross that His Son would be murdered on. That same cross and murder that set me free and allowed me to crawl into these eternally safe hands forever removed from
hell,
[MY] sin,
shame,
and fear.

There are not perfect enough words to describe my perfect Savior and God.

I have so much to learn... still...

2010-01-25T22:01:00.001-05:00

Within the last two years I have learned so much. The countless times Pastor has told me that there are things He constantly reminds me of that have become second nature to Him (in encouragement) and slowly but surely I do my best to get them and then forget about them until one day I'll be walking a volunteer through something and I'll think "HEY WAIT A SECOND, PASTOR TOLD ME THAT" but I wont even have to think about it anymore (well not actively anyways).

I am so thankful for my time at Journey Church over the last 2 and a half years. I have been forced out of my fears, negative tendencies, bad attitude, etc. Not that I dont slip back sometimes, but thanks to Pastor Michael, Pastor John, and my teammates I've been able to make mistakes, fall on my sword, adjust, feel the pain of loss, joys of success (best Christmas EVER!!! :D) man up and get my butt ripped (miss it Pastor), and learn about the Grace of God. AND THAT'S THE BIGGEST LIFE CHANGER. Understanding Grace.

Understanding God's massive room for mistakes and even blessings on top of that when we're walking that line He's set before us, because believe you me, I've made mistakes, and God's not given up on me. He IS that loving Father we all dream about hugging us and telling us He loves us unconditionally. Sometimes it's just on His terms, He is God after all. :)

Back to my first point though. It's been 2.5 years at Journey Church, and amidst all the learning, mistakes, doubt, discouragement, fun, joy it would have been another 2.5 years without 2 things:

1. Mentors that Mentor - don't mince words and get confrontational when needed
2. Law of Process - Meaning consistent learning/challenge

You know this is convicting as I write it, because the men who have spoken into my life don't wake up and go if Scott asks for a challenge today I'll give it to Him, they are men of the word, integrity, and the cajones to do whats needed. Im convicted because my excuse for not being more like that myself is fear. Fear of being wrong, Fear of being misunderstood, Fear of not being liked. And seeing other men around me that need a challenge or even a rebuke (like I often do) I give into this fear.

I have to repent because just like I need other men, I know that I need to be that to other men, and that means standing up and being a man. Honestly, I still need freedom in this, I don't have my breakthrough yet, but I'm not going to give up.

Still I wouldn't even be here without those two things, so here's a question or two for you.

Are you being mentored? (have you asked for it)
If so, are they blowing your precepts away or blowing smoke up your butt? Even good intentioned mentors or meetings can just hinder. If thats the case then can YOU step up and create the atmosphere for change? For a long time I just sat knowing my meeting time (years ago) was ineffective, but I couldn't say what was hard to hear.

Are you applying the law of process?
Meaning, are you reading books consistently to strengthen your weaknesses and reinforce your strengths? Day after day are you working toward a goal? Even if its minute steps... the law of process is the only thing that will lead to significant change apart from God's radical transformation.

As I continue to do these things myself I can only imagine what lies in store. I can never achieve or succeed (on any meaningful level) apart from Christ, but with the Christ in me I am an overcomer, a son, a disciple, heir, messenger of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank You Jesus! God please continue to transform me. Make me like you, and bless the men in my life who want that as well.

Journey Wallpaper

2010-01-14T11:29:00.001-05:00

Here is a Journey Themed Wallpaper available in 2 sizes for your convenience.

Rep your church @ work or just give your home desktop a nice new look.

Let me know what you think or if you need a different size!

Here they are:

I Couldn't Wait!!!

2009-12-20T22:39:00.000-05:00

Regardless of how utterly exhausted I am right now I HAD to take time to thank our volunteers for their time, energy, friendships, and sacrifice today and some week after week.

There were a few times I almost got teary eyed thinking about our volunteers who pretty much gave up their whole day to SERVE together to pull off what we did tonight. And trust me, there is NO WAY we could have done what we did today without our volunteers.

Some did it for others. Some for Jesus. I am sure both are the case, but it was selfless service that makes me proud of you great people. Thank You.

I am so honored to be able to serve beside you guys (I wish I could list everyone, but I am sure to forget someone and I'd rather not) and wouldn't trade my work beside you guys tonight for a week at the coolest vacation spot anywhere. I am so blessed by you volunteers.

That's all for now. Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you!

God Bless You Guys. I CAN NOT wait for 2010, cuz God keeps blessing us @ Journey.

thankFULL Sunday

2009-11-22T19:02:00.000-05:00

In case you missed our services today, you missed out big, we shared 6 (awesome) video testimonies from our Journey people, and Pastor shared on the true reasons we have to be thankFULL.

But that was assuming that your circumstances were bringing you joy, right? O wait... UMMMM NO!!!

Again, if you missed today, you missed big, but here's one of our video testimonies cuz we still love you...

Among other things, Pastor wrapped the message up with our #1 reason to be thankFULL. Jesus Christ. His grace, love, SALVATION. Forget circumstances, forget enemies, trials; we have Salvation regardless of our sin, past, laziness, selfishness, and on and on. We're eternally thankFULL because we know who our Savior is.

If I don't talk to you before Thursday, have a great Thanksgiving, and remember why, no matter what, you can be thankFULL!!

THE House...

2009-11-21T22:30:00.002-05:00

It's like I forgot how to blog.....

Anyways, I thought I'd update you all on our house, which we'll be getting the keys to in less than 48 hours!!

We've waited and prayed 3+ years for a house, and everytime it wouldn't work out we'd pray for a bigger and cheaper house and, well, needless to say, Ashley and I would like to apologize to anyone who has suffered from the real estate crash due to our prayers, cuz gggggaaaaaaawwwwwwwlleeeeeee God is faithful!!

Below are the pictures of our new BIG and CHEAP home, that we are very excited to own.

And here is a picture with one of our color scheme ideas (more mine than Ash's) for the living room and kitchen. Let me know if you like or dislike it. Do you have a better suggestion?? :)

New And Improved...

2009-11-03T18:47:00.005-05:00

Ok scratch that title :)

Fresh Direction and Focus... not quite as sexy... oh well ;)

Over the last few weeks Dawn and I have met, prayed, planned, fasted, strategized, dreamed, laughed, and prayed some more and basically, without going into crazy detail, we have been given 2 team to head up @ Journey. One inside team (me) and one outside team (Dawn). Anyways... so through prayer and discussing we agreed that although responsibilities and roles are different we are truly one team.

From the second people pull onto the property, until they walk through the front door, until they sit in the seat with our communication cards and envelopes, until the Pastor gets up, until, until, until... you get my point.

Everything they see and all that we do all takes a part in our complete message: JESUS. We all work side by side to communicate God's forgiveness, grace, mercy, love, truth, life-changing commandments, etc. Our hearts (Dawn and I) are to communicate to our teams together and work/worship/enjoy together as one team. As one body, because we are ~1 Cor. 12:12-20, all for the glory of God.

Needless to say, we are passionate and excited to build up these teams again. To continue to build upon the parts of the "foundation" that others faithfully laid and to go back and fix a few things that could use a little more glitz, glam, and well, flippin fun. We get to CREATE and PROVIDE an atmosphere every single week that reflects the glory, healing, and joy of Jesus Christ.

That's awesome, and an honor.

As of now we are connecting with people one on one and sharing our hearts and plans for the IMPACT Team naturally as we feel led, and as the opportunity presents itself, however come January we will be having our first "IMPACT Invite" Event the first of next year. You are going to want to be there. and...

YOU ARE INVITED.

Until then, we are pouring out our energy, passion, and focus into our Holiday event team. BTW We have a creative meeting this Sunday at 6pm at Dawn's house, so if you signed up and we haven't called you yet or you have not signed up, but would like to take part in our creative planning process for our Holiday events, please contact Dawn or Myself at DawnBarthelette@journeychurchnow.com or ScottClark@journeychurchnow.com. It promises to be fun, filling, and productive. Hope to see you there.

I could go on and on, and I might later, but for now our hearts are to take these areas of ministry to a whole'notha'level!! Won't you be a part?

Do you know where you are spiritually gifted to serve? Is not knowing holding you back? Or do you know what you're good at, but feel that it's just not that important? Feel free to comment & be blessed!

Have You Ever: & Some Resources...

2009-09-24T11:48:00.008-04:00

Have you ever wished that your co-worker was able to hear what Pastor taught on last week? Did you just overhear them talking about how they wished their marriage was stronger? Or that they wish their teenager would stop shaving the cat? Well we might not cover that last one, although you never know, but if you do hear a message that you just know would minister to, and encourage a co-worker, or family member, etc. than I would like to present to you...

Next time you are on campus make sure and check out the new "CD 4 A Friend" sign-up located in the church foyer. All you have to provide is your name, the date and title of the message you want, and how many copies you will need. Voila! Your CD's should be available for pickup the following week. If the CD is for you we would only ask that you request 2 and take one for someone else as well.

NOTE - You can also download our weekly messages through itunes and in multiple formats online at www.journeychurchnow.com.

TIP- WHEN YOU GIVE THEM THE CD INVITE THEM TO JOURNEY & HAND THEM A TOUCH CARD. Which brings me to my next point:

Did you know that 95% of people swallow 3 church touch cards in their lifetimes?!? CRAZY!! AMAZING!
And untrue. :( That'd be cool though...

BUT, each Sunday you might find yourself leaving Journey Church without taking at least one Journey touch card with you. Maybe...............? That's alright, it happens to the best of us :)

BUT, here's a thought, what if we all took (1) card every week, and handed it to just (1) co-worker, family member, friend, wal-mart employee, homeless person, insurance agent, etc, etc each week.

*Thats 604,800 seconds to complete your goal of handing out (1) card!!!!* THAT'S NUTS!!

Not to mention that we would ALL be inviting and potentially ministering to 52 people a year!!! You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that THAT is HUGE missional (and effective) living.

Anyways, to keep this from becoming an article, I'll get back on point. I just wanted to notify our Journey go'ers of (1) a new resource "CD 4 A Friend"; sign up in the foyer, and (2) a resource that is available for assisting in inviting others to church; "Journey Touch Cards" available on a seat near you (Sundays only ;) ).

I hope this has been helpful and at least provoked a chuckle.

Have a great week & I'll C U Sunday!

Big Mountain Ahead...

2009-09-14T23:30:00.004-04:00

I can honestly say that I have never faced as big of a mountain as the one in front of me now. Well, the one in front of my family and I, now. And its very appropriate that PM is sharing about good/bad soil and faith like a mustard seed these 2 weeks because I tell you what, I am currently walking up to a mountain that I, literally, cannot climb or go around without the Holy Spirit COMPLETELY decimating that mountain.

I believe that I passed through a pivotal point in my life a few weeks ago, no exaggeration. As a full time church staff member I have faced many obstacles that have been painful but necessary to overcome to mature and grow in my faith and ability to help lead the church. Lately its at a whole other level. Like, honestly, a level that has forced me to look in the mirror and say to myself "are you a man or another wannabe" "Are you going to do whatever it takes to succeed (even if that means facing failure) or just quit" And Ive committed to give it everything Ive got.

Ash and I are committing to pray and seek God for the wisdom and strength to protect our marriage and sanity as I go full out to reach people, to further Journey Church, to build relationships, to submit myself to the ongoing process of study and learning, and to seek God like never before in places Ive never been. My mountain is fear of failure or rejection, its walking in iron-fisted discipline, it's walking on water to Jesus except for that walking on water might be easier than committing to change because I will know in 10 seconds if I fail or succeed as opposed to the painful process of spiritual surgery and breaking of habits. To commit to this without surety of the result is horrifying, but I declare in Jesus name that God is good, He has called, anointed, and appointed me, and through mercy and grace I will see this mountain moved in my life by the sovereign and glorious power of Jesus Christ, not by a SINGLE thing that I can do.

Anyways, sorry for the vagueness. Now you have a reason to stay tuned in to my blog so as to see if I reveal specefics. woo...hoo.....

Be encouraged, because if you dont have to stop and ask your guide for help than youre mountain aint worth climbing.

Im back...

2009-09-07T22:58:00.004-04:00

So as most of my more recent posts begin, A lot has been going on and I havent been able to get it out, but Im back to just, if anything, use this blog as an outlet for my thoughts and daily adventures.

I am not the final say on issues. I am not always right, but this is my blog dagblam it, and I will use it to share my thoughts, struggles, what God is saying to me lately, and of course the usual stupid meaninglessness that fills in the random moments of random days. :)

As of now a lot is changing in my life, or at least it could if I just keep the course, stay focused, and man up. God has revealed some things to me including my lack of hunger and love for God (due to unintentional distractions), that there is more in me (Christ in me) than I ever thought possible, the importance of study and prayer just to list a few.

I have read 2 books in two weeks and am working on my 3rd this week. Ill just say that somewhere near my freshman year in high school I swore off college or any higher learning because I hate to read/study. I am severely attention deficit or as its called when you're an adult: laziness or lacking discipline. BOOYAH!!! I JUST CALLED IT OUT that's right!! So this really is a BIG WIN for me personally.

Even thought its been a sacrifice to put in between 4-9 hours a week into reading on top of work/family/etc, I am finding that determination plays a huge part in my focus. When I am dead set on doing it, my attention is there (unless I am flat worn out) and I also see that my inexperience as a minister is no laughing matter so the sacrifice is a given for the desired outcome. There IS grace and mercy in failing, yes(otherwise, Journey, I'd be gone), but do God, my family, my teammates, and my mentor/boss deserve my best?

1000% yes.

So I must give it. And I give it joyfully. Everything goes back to giving God glory. Unfortunately that realization can be blurred quite quickly when life gets busy, or things get tough, or I get stuck in the monotony of life. But when this short life and God's glory are in my sights, Ill do whatever it takes to succeed.

To switch gears here, Ash and I are officially under contract on a house!!! We hope to move in early October. Its in Apollo Beach right off of I-75 with plenty of room to double our Source Group if need be!!!! God is so good. We have tried around 4 times now over the last few years to get a house, and every time we ran into a wall that we couldnt get over, but each time we've prayed for a bigger and cheaper house than before and that is exactly what has happened. With the market lower than ever we believe we have found the perfect house for our family. Well see as we finish up the loan process, but regardless God is faithful!! More house details to come...

The book I am reading now is Worldiness by C.J. Mahaney, and its great so far. Im 28 pages in and already God has laid it on my heart to commit to praying (something else I need to work very hard to improve on) for around 3 breakthroughs in my life over the next 6 months. Its a steep commitment, but if God is faithful then why wouldnt I commit to pray for breakthrough for 10 years if I had to? It comes back to FREAKIN laziness and discipline again. BOOYAH!! It needs to be broken for me to be an efficient tool for the kingdom of God. No doubt. Im going to pray about this topic before I commit, but more to come...

Long enough, good night!

More to come...

2009-08-05T10:46:00.003-04:00

Obviously my posts have been down lately. A lot of thoughts and emotions have been running through me and I haven't been able to pin them down, but come, say.... next week, I will try to pick up my blogging again, cuz I know you miss me so! ;) In the mean time, have a good week, and slow down and listento/see how much God loves us.

The Supremacy of God's Son...

2009-07-25T15:03:00.002-04:00

The Supremacy of God's Son

Hebrews 1:1-4

1Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

I am blown away by the imagery and the honest truth of Jesus' glory. I mean the sheer awesomeness of "after making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high"!! Like yeah the under-description of eternity...

And how powerful do you have to be to "become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs." Seriously? Ummm... I personally have no problem fearing the Lord, not saying I dont do more than my share of screwing up and living selfishly, but I dont ever doubt His ability to *poof* me anytime He wants to. But wait He doesnt so why do I ever doubt His love... hmmmmm

But wow God is beautiful and worthy of ALL OF OUR PRAISE AND THANKS AND LOVE AND ENERGY. My life is so meaningful and successful if I just reflect and enjoy that fact alone.

Just some thoughts...

Haven't video blogged in a while... so...

2009-07-17T19:25:00.004-04:00

Cant believe she is already...

2009-07-09T12:44:00.002-04:00

over 14 months!! Her one year was 2 months ago? Shut up!

Heres a pic I came across just now and wanted to share.

NO! Dont let her fly away!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She aint going anywhere, but time does fly...

The things hearts are made of...

2009-07-02T22:13:00.004-04:00

Sugar, spice, and everything painful and broken.

I don't wanna blog. There is so much going on right now that I feel that I don't want to spend any energy on pouring out, but as my title says; These are the things hearts are made of.

As you may or may not have heard my wife Ashley was pregnant. We were 11 weeks along and went in this last Tuesday to the OB's to find out that the baby had stopped growing. No heartbeat. She went in today to have a DNC.

We are still taking everything in, it's been 3 days, and obviously, there is SO MUCH MORE than I could write going on right now in my wife and my own heart, but I will share some of my top-coat thoughts as they have been coming to me since we started down this unexpected turn.

1. God is in control. Even though there are questions, pain, fear of future issues, physical and emotional implications, and stress etc. God is in control. His mercy and love are always there evident in our lives and circumstances.

2. The hurt comes and goes. For me, thinking that it could be 18 months + before we could possibly even hope to have another child is scary. We had dreams and hopes already. Looked at names, furniture, talked specifics, shared our excitement with friends, family, our church. It's painful to go back and re-share the loss and experience their sorrow for us one person at a time. Thoughts like that just bring the pain right back.
We are thankful, however, that we have strong loving people around us to love and support us. http://JourneyChurchNow.com :D

3. I am very optimistic. I almost feel guilty that I am so focused on the positive things that are to come as opposed to crumbling under the loss. God has blessed Ashley and I and I do count my blessings in a time like this. My beautiful, kind, forgiving, intelligent, sensitive wife. My "couldn't be any better" baby girl. Who is healthy, beautiful, energetic, so smart, and straight from the hands of God. A family that loves us and has shown it time and time again toward Ashley and I. Friends that honor and love us, showing their kindness and willingness to help every time we are in need. An amazing sincere God-loving church to serve in and a job that is fulfilling, challenging, humbling, pays money (cuz thats kind of a blessing) and I have a boss who is loving and uncompromising in our purpose and calling. Our future is not dim. It shines bright and is full of life, excitement, and joy because of the God that Ashley and I love and love to serve.

4. I am not foolish enough to think that my optimism is a sign that I am over this, or that there won't be things to deal with in the future. I haven't really broken down from this yet, and maybe I won't, but I know that mourning is appropriate and an important step in the healing process, and I am more than willing to give in and mourn over a baby lost. To cry with my wife who was already carrying and connecting with that life in her. This sadness will only magnify our gladness when God reveals himself and also when we finally do have that second child.

I might blog on this down the road or not, I don't know, but I do have hope that there is more to come, good and bad, and that we WILL make it through and be all the better for it because my Daddy is the God of the universe, and He knows how to take care of me and my family.

I hope you are blessed and encouraged by this. I hope your faith is raised to not only stand but to walk forward; to step out and move.

Caught me off guard...

2009-06-23T10:55:00.002-04:00

Here a video that PJ showed to me that caught me so off guard I had to bend over and laugh. I'm not sure why, could be that I am extremely tired from yesterday. But I also love cars and hate car companies. So... here it is GM's first post-bailout car. I'm sure it's reasonably priced around 24K.

Last few weeks...

2009-06-14T23:01:00.003-04:00

have been kinda quiet, I know. Sorry, but a lot has been going on church wise and personally. After this weekend, that was awesome, I thought I'd take a few minutes and spill some thoughts.

1. Why do I have so much energy? It was said at church today that Christians are the ones who instead of being broken they should be able to stand and say Christ has saved and redeemed me in the midst of my humanity. Well, I can at least be an example of that physically. We had a crazy week at church. I'm talking physical work every day for the daycare and just for the church as well. So I get to Friday and work a full maintenance day (still had 1 or 2 things to do when we left Friday, shhhhh don't tell Pastor) and then we went mountain biking for a few hours, Ricardo, Pastor Michael, and I, doing some pretty intense trails chasing @garlanddavis and his dad Kent. So I go home and play video games until 2:30 in the morning, which should have wrecked my Saturday, right? Ashley wakes me up at 8am and She and I go on a breakfast and a movie date 'til 12:30. While Breanne naps Ashley and I catch a 20 min. power nap. Great but not able to save from exhaustion within its self. We then head over to St. Pete to go to the beach with my Dad, Stepmom, and Brother.

Sidenote- this was Breanne's first trip to the beach and we had a blast. She played in the sand, chased birds, hung with me in the water, then ate some sand, which thankfully, she didn't like. Plus I had a daddy moment as I stripped her down and showered her off with me. Now I will clean other people's kids, but a. not in a public shower b. not with them naked and c. not whilst people watch. I loved every second of it.

So we do the beach thing (if you have kids you know its WORK) and ended up not getting back to Tampa until after 10:30, shower ourselves, watch the tube, pass out, go and serve the church. After church I cooked out for my fam, devin, angela, brenda, and matt. I cooked good too. We then hit 2 stores, and head out for the cookout and mountain biking tonight. I'm still wanting to go hit the single diamond track as I write.

Why do I have so much energy? It's not just from biking, cuz I've been noticing it the last couple of weeks. I love it.

2. Due to some personal things going on right now I am appreciating serving both behind the scenes more, and learning to appreciate leading from the stage more. So much more. I am excited to clean our back building tomorrow. I normally see the honor in serving in such a way, but really I am thankful to be doing it lately. I also am seeing the PRIVILEGE that it is to be able to get on that stage and share my life, my relationship with God, and my personal worship with the church. I am sooooo blessed!! And I want to do it so much more humbly, sincerely, effectively, lovingly, God-honoring-ly :)

3. I can't wrap my head around the fact that I am going to be a father of two. It definitely makes me feel old. I am sooo blessed though.

4. I want to live this life to the fullest. Chasing God, that is. Loving my family, wife first, that is. Sincerely and Passionately, Loving God's people, that is. But I am seeing the importance of consistency, perseverance, and PATIENCE. I suck at that last one. I did have a mini revelation friday coming back from biking though. I saw that I am only 24, 25 in days, and that there are a lot of reasons not to rush things. I just get almost freaked out because so many things are SOOOOOOOOO important, like not wasting a single day of this precious life, and not letting a single sin or habit steal our focus from God.

5. God is BEAUTIFUL and I want nothing more that to grovel in His dirt. To absolutely be His SLAVE. To truly WORSHIP Him as my 1 IDOL, GOD, KING, MASTER, OWNER. I am His belonging and that is good enough for me. To be near Him. To reflect and redirect any glory I can to Him. Just look at HIS creations!!! They are countless!!!

So many of those words are absolutely meaningless in our culture, church and American culture equally.

This ended up being an outpouring of me, kinda all around. I hope it is beneficial to you.

Powerful Post...

2009-06-08T09:42:00.002-04:00

One of the Desperation Band guys wrote this blog, and wow there is some wisdom in there that if truly grasped would take every worship leader to a new place in their calling, myself included. It could also serve to reveal who is truly called to the priestly role and who is just a "christian rockstar". Pretty powerful... http://glennpackiam.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/06/what-i-wish-i-knew-about-worship-leading-10-years-ago.html

WSDINTKMITFT

2009-06-03T13:15:00.002-04:00

:)

This is a continuation of a twitter of mine that I found humorous. So much so in fact that I think I will make it a series if not a daily twitter.

"WSDINTKMITFT" stands for: What scripture do I need to kick me in the face today...

It's gonna be the new bracelet that every christian has to have. Plus, I know I need it, so...

Today's WSDINTKMITFT is
~Luke 14:26
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple."

I love my wife, child, family, even my friends, so for that to look like Hatred is A WHOLE NOTHA' LEVEL. I need to show God that I am serious. That He is the love of my life. My one and only, so to speak, and that I love God more than anything.

Keep kicking, this one's gonna take some work...

Had to share...

2009-05-28T00:16:00.001-04:00

Oh wow... had to share this with my tech, worship, sound, media buddies... hilarious...

Confessions from Mike Silliman on Vimeo.

Brain dead...

2009-05-27T21:01:00.003-04:00

I literally spent hours today researching paid blog hosts for the church blogs and a possible new website provider for our church site. I personally promote blogger as the best blog site, however if you are a coding GENIUS feel free to give typepad.com $180 a year for a few more features than blogger offers for free. I customized a site over at cloversites.com to see if it was something we could use. After editing a few sites I have concluded that cloversites is AMAZING for simple straight forward drag and drop updating. Its 90% image driven and not customizable outside of 6 page templates which for me is a no go. We are looking at another site that will completely customize a site for us at a reasonable price, however, I need to call them and chat about their interface and user editing, not to mention, I just found out that as of January they are not taking any clients. :( Well see what happens... well, you'll see too once we decide.

Go over to michaelkyker.com and read my pastor's blog. He's always got great advice and challenge out of the word of God. Today is not an exception. His post on God's timing hit me right in the teeth. I tend to get over-zealous and explode every once in a while, and I learn over and over again that sincere consistancy and patience are SO MUCH MORE POWERFUL than judgemental promulgating. It's a good post, check it out.

Well, I'm going home to get rested for tomorrow. John Nichols and I are heading out to tape a youth camp promo video. It will be awesome... don't miss it Sunday. Peace.

New things...

2009-05-21T15:06:00.004-04:00

So it's been about a week or more since my last post so here are some updates.

First on the list is the continual changing of my blog here. 1. I really enjoy playing with graphic designs, so don't be suprised that it changes often and will continue to do so. 2. I am hoping to improve on the design and provide more resources more effectively for you on the many things I cover on the blog here. For instance, the books and music I am currently enjoying can be near the top now side to side as opposed to having a list that goes all the way down the page. I hope you find it helpful.

Ashley and BooBoo are back. Yeah!!! I am so grateful for them. I am truly blessed.

The worship team is growing spiritually, emotionally, and physically. What's new is that I warned them a few weeks ago that God is moving, the team is changing, and the end product will most likely not look like we expected it to. Some of that is common sense, but God really pressed it on my heart to say that, and I even had them repeat it back to me. So presently I believe they are starting to believe what I said. And it's great.
-- Physically, we have 2 vocalists practicing with us now, soon to join us on Sundays.
-- Emotionally, the team is facing some fears and challenges to grow in the areas we need to to better serve and LEAD the church, and a possible new worship leader is in training. God is great!
-- Spiritually, I am doing my best to study, seek, and trust God like never before. I will probably be leading my team through a book starting within the next week or two. I think I have decided to take the team through the book in pairs. Sarah & John, Mark & Amanda, Amy, Heather. In other words; separately but at the same time to really share my heart with the team on what worship is, and why WE, AT JOURNEY CHURCH, do it. Not to mention those pairs all have separate roles within the ministry so it will allow me to address them more specifically.

Again God is good!! I could never do these sort of things without acknowledging and trusting in God that HE has called and equipped me to lead my family, this team, and our church both in congregational worship and in life. I am just Scott Clark, a 24 year old married guy with Daddy issues, a daughter of my own who I will try my hardest to not give daddy issues to. I used to be bullied from as early as I can remember. I later decided I didn't want to go to college, cuz I hated studying and reading. Years later I'm here. I'm just a regular guy who God has gotten a hold of, and is using my life to, once again, prove how merciful and faithful He is. I want more of God, and hope to take people with me as I go. I am always so honored and blessed to be able to serve in the capacity that I do each and every week, and I am always excited to honor God through music. God is good!

P.S. I am getting baptized this Sunday!! WOW, a minister in the church getting baptized? Yes. When I did it as a kid I had no grasp on what dying to myself and being raised into life with Christ meant. So booyaah, I am declaring it this sunday! That's me!! I'm ALIVE!!

A blog post...

2009-05-12T22:12:00.004-04:00

So my wife and boo boo (daughter) are heading out to Arizona here in just a few hours :( How is it that I can okay the trip, know all the details, I know the days they are leaving and returning, know where they are going and who they are going with, but it takes me all the way up until hours prior to their departure to realize that they are going to not... be.... here... They will be gone for four days and I don't want them to go. :( MY little precious baby girl and her sweet sweet face will be miles away. And my beautiful wife who I love and rely on won't be just minutes away at all times. Even though I will be recording music, playing video games, working, fishing, having a man night at my house that involves, violence, action, pizza, and surround sound I will still have plenty of time to miss them! So honey if you are reading this, I love you and love being around you. I am blessed to see you daily. MWA!

A book I am reading...

2009-05-05T19:07:00.002-04:00

"Not a Safe God" by Tim Riter was quite intriguing at first, it challenges complacency in the christians life which is needed (equally with the realization of God's grace in our lives). However, here is a warning. Half way through the book he begins explaining that if you do not "remain" in Christ you will loose your salvation. That's a negative... by all means remain in Christ, but Salvation is a gift that we receive freely, and no, you don't give back a gift once you receive it, and God is not into regifting, so... Wanna know more? Google Calvanism. As for me and my house... we will continue to read the book and receive the challenges and discard the garbage. :)

Thanks for reading.

Where are all of the great minds?

2009-05-04T20:54:00.005-04:00

Has the church tied it's own hands? Are there so many branches, versions, denominations, differing doctrines and perspectives within the "Christian" faith nowadays that we can no longer operate as one? No longer lift a hand in unity in order to fulfill the call to this world? According to some, the last ecunemical council was held in 731 A.D. (basically a meeting of the great minds of the day in the church) then they switch to Roman Catholic Councils..... really?

List of Ecumenical Councils

I. First Council of Nicea, (325); repudiated Arianism, adopted the Nicene Creed.
II. First Council of Constantinople, (381); revised the Nicene Creed into the present form used in the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches.
III. Council of Ephesus, (431); repudiated Nestorianism, proclaimed the Virgin Mary as the Mother of God (Greek, Θεοτόκος).
IV. Council of Chalcedon, (451); repudiated the Eutychian doctrine of Monophysitism, described and delineated the two natures of Christ, human and divine; adopted the Chalcedonian Creed. This and all following councils are not recognized by Oriental Orthodox Communion.
V. Second Council of Constantinople, (553); reaffirmed decisions and doctrines explicated by previous Councils, condemned new Arian, Nestorian, and Monophysite writings.
VI. Third Council of Constantinople, (680-681); repudiated Monothelitism, affirmed that Christ had both human and Divine wills.
- Quinisext/Penthekte Council (= Fifth and Sixth) or Council in Trullo, (692); mostly an administrative council that raised some local canons to ecumenical status and established principles of clerical discipline. It is not considered to be a full-fledged council in its own right because it did not determine matters of doctrine. This council is accepted by the Orthodox Church as a part of the Sixth Ecumenical Council, but that is rejected by Roman Catholics.
VII. Second Council of Nicea, (787); restoration of the veneration of icons and end of the first iconoclasm.

They tackled such issues as the nature of Jesus Christ.. "more man than God, more God than man, or equally both?" Creating words such as monophysitism. Amazing... I think there is freedom in the body of Christ knowing the foundations of our faith, but for the most part operating separately and with flexibility (biblical flexibility). We have to look different if we are to reach different cultures, ages, people of different background, etc.. However, like I said our foundations need to be in the word of God, not in human perversion, i.e. homosexual priests, idolotry in our tradition or religion. The word of God cannot be compromised, so where in the world, literally, are the minds that have dedicated themselves to scripture, prayer, discipline, study in order to deliver and carry-out the word of God?

Oh yeah, it's just the pope's job. Well, he is not MY ROCK!! Here I am, God, send me. Where are all of the great minds? Most of America only cares about preventing MURDER !OUTSIDE! of the womb. Making sure kids have condoms in their wallets over cultivating a sense of righteous fear for the one and only God who can, and will, decide where their souls will spend eternity. I know where they are, they are relaxing at home, sipping tea right now, relaxing because if they made the trip to defend the doctrine on which our faith is founded, went through the trouble of calling out the heresy and unbelief of this country, who would listen? Who would act? Since when did we bow down to the educational system in this country? Have we traded our truth for tax exemptions? Have we really lost the majority, or just our freaking guts? Or, really, our convictions?

I know I am rambling now, but it is not like this is not all connected. Where are the great minds? If there is one hidden in me then BAM watch out, because if God is with me then who can stand against me? If it's not me then it's time the truely great minds stood up, or God please come back now, cuz Hell is only going to continue to break loose...

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday...

2009-05-04T09:23:00.004-04:00

Our services yesterday were great. First service was thin in attendance, but it made for a packed second service! The worship was good, but I had the feeling that although most people were worshiping, there wasn't really a desire to push into the holy of holies (second service, majesty we started to, it was good), but every service every week is not going to be breakthrough, so I am greatful that people participated, and the team did a good job of leading.

I am realizing now that the more I get into team ministry, and the more I spend time with my team communicating and meeting outside of Sundays, the higher the cost to my energy, vision, focus, and spiritual........... how do I say....... fervor? Basically, I am finding myself drained, especially since we came back from the retreat and Night Of Worship I can't seem to refresh.

(The dates are not set yet, but Night of Worship will now be about every 3 months, so if you missed it, you can join us next time)

Yesterday I realized that I was definitely feeling empty during worship. After dealing with some issues with a team member, ministering through some spiritual warfare among a potential team member, we had two different potential team members practicing with us this last Thursday for the first time, and then going back and addressing the first issue I mentioned with the new members, why was I surprised that I was feeling empty?

Really, this is new ground for me. I am working to develop my ability to lead other people and other leaders (not in title, but in action). I am realizing the importance of study, rest, GROWTH, etc. so that I am not left feeling empty when it comes time to lead on a Sunday morning, and so that as I grow I can do more and minister and pour out to more people without being left empty. Yesterday was good, maybe better than good, but I don't care about good when people's lives, hearts, devotion are at stake. I have to continually strive for that next level both with God and physically/spiritually.

I actually do love that I am feeling this way, though, because it means that I am pouring out, ministering, and it will either lead to my growth or to my demise. And I won't let the latter win, and neither will PM or God for that matter.

Looooooooong weekend...

2009-04-28T00:46:00.006-04:00

This last week has been so draining, but truly I feel healthier (spiritually) right now than I have in months or years. Not to mention, I have never accomplished so much in one week before. We had wins on the business side (Daycare), in the church, in team ministry, in relationships, and for me personally all this week!

I've worked through the heavy sweat, but now my body is cleaned out and ready for refreshing, which is exactly what I need right now all across the board... refreshment and refueling.

Through the Night Of Worship, (AMAZING!!! You better not have missed it) and the worship retreat, I poured out most, if not all, that I had to give to the church and team, and I swear I almost went into a coma after getting home last night. But WOW was it worth it, and it was chocked full of God's spirit moving among us; in us.

So basically, I tried to rest today, physically (not gonna say I succeeded) and I am even now trying to refuel spiritually, but here I am pouring out again...

I am SO pleased with how our retreat and N.O.W. turned out and I am looking forward to continuing to move forward as a church, and I can't wait to see what God has coming... don't miss it.

Come to church, plug in, serve, commit yourself to discipleship, and prepare yourselves for our groom.

Pretty serious stuff...

2009-04-13T20:14:00.002-04:00

All over THIS PLANET there are Christians that are struggling, persecuted (http://www.persecution.org, http://www.persecution.com/), murdered, in hiding, etc. all for their faith.

Now I have to watch my tone and what I say because here I am, sit in my living room with my Mac, having yet to plan a mission trip. But nonetheless, this ain't no joke, and I will not be disqualified from speaking on such issues.
(As I was writing this I actually just stopped and priced tickets to a place I am considering, and sent off an email to get more info on possible ministry opportunities in that area. So... I ain't playin...)

Anyways... back on point. Suffering is real for Christians all over the world. And what are our excuses? ...that's not where I want to go though. You have people of other faiths that have NO PROBLEM dying and murdering for their faith and false gods. All to reap fake rewards and to end up burning in Hell with everyone who, sadly, did not trust in Jesus alone as salvation. HEY! I DESERVE IT TOO SO DON'T MISS MY POINT, which I am getting to.

I was reading in revelation 20:4-
4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

This is heavy and a freakin reality check for some of you, but take it, and may you be better for it. All these people that are dying for nothing, false Gods or for drug addiction it doesn't matter. It is a waste. You want something to die over? How about die an unnatural death here and FREAKING wake up a thousand years earlier than everyone else and reign with Christ!!!! OH MY GOD!! There is nothing more.......... honoring??, unbelieveable, humbling, ???, than to be able to reign with my King and be a priest of God and Christ for a thousand years. That's the thing, when I am back in love with my first love (I'm trying to get there again) Death, and ALL of the innumerable things of this world are TRASH!!! They have no (lasting) appeal.

This sounds crazy, and it is, but in context of eternity, my fear of the reality of these things, and the implications of serving God no matter what, are life-changing! There is nothing else that matters. There is nothing more beautiful that I can give to my God than my life. Surrendered in life or death. Life is the stinkin' hard part though....

My only real point was to get on here and just give God the glory that He is the only thing worth living or dying for. Every fool that dies for anything else, is a wasted life, and missed out on knowing the TRUE and LIVING, SOVEREIGN GOD.

Oh but they know Him now....

2009-04-02T08:22:00.001-04:00

Ah..... some new worship material, FINALLY!!!

I am excited...

2009-03-18T23:58:00.001-04:00

But I know there is more for the worship ministry at Journey Church. I swear if I could just have both the discipline to pray constantly for the voice of God to reveal our next 10 steps and/or like 5 minutes to talk with God face to face I'd be set!!

A night of worship, my blog, the new worship blog, weekly practices and sets, youth worship, worship retreat. Am I missing anything? But this can't be all. What lies around the corner for us.

Yes, in the future, a new building will bring some excitement new challenges and surely some new faces to the worship team. Oh yeah and some perspective (of how serious God is about us needing to step up). But a building does not make worship better.

What is next for us?
How can we better honor God with our gifts?
How can we better equip the church with worship materials? A dvd? Video devotions? Worship classes?

Again, I have to get back to my first love, SO BADLY. Its funny that I realized tonight my main focus HAS to be on the first two commandments!! Love the lord my God, and love my neighbor (the sheep are included in the neighbor catagory).

Everything we do both now and in the future will be revealed and thrusted forward by just loving God.

I have been concerned with presenting God to people so that they will worship Him, and trying different ways to coerce people to worship God. BUT my focus should be on loving God first so that I am worshiping Him in everything, and then provoking a sincere love for God in the hearts of our people. That will drive our worship into the heavenlies.

My new Motto
"No success without leadership, no leadership without relationship"

As a worship pastor, success is based on me, and everyone I am able to influence, worshiping God 24/7. I cannot do that if I am not mature enough to lead, and I cannot lead if I have not spent enough time with people to earn their trust. That goes for the church, the worship team, Pastor Michael, my fellow leaders.

I am excited. God takes our horizon and just keeps pushing it away as we move towards it... There is no limit to what we can accomplish at Journey and all the ways that we can find to praise God in our lifetimes. But let's be obedient first, then add. Right?

Mission Trip: Church

2009-03-11T20:56:00.003-04:00

I've sat in churches before that are the perfect illustration of consumerism at work. I have been a consumer.

I've sat in churches that were the love of Christ, yet I slipped through the cracks. I hated them all... stupid hugs.

I've sat in churches that cared more about their freakin' organ than the salvation of the youth generation. I watched.

I've been the worship pastor of an awesome church called Journey Church that is called to reach the city, be the hands and feet of Christ, bleed with the bleeding, cry with the crying, stand in the gap and declare joy over broken lives, but I consumed, watched, feared, misunderstood.

The last one is a bit melodramatic, but still true. It has taken me a while to understand that we are finally, as a church and as leadership, beginning to see church in full context. To keep it simple, we are
1. loving
2. accountable
3. the whole church, not just leadership, is starting to walk in our calling/giftings (even if we don't fully understand what they are). Not to mention some leaders (myself included) are starting to walk with confidence in what God has called them to.
4. in love with the word of God
5. not backing down from fights and faith challenges
6. etc., etc.

My point is that I've sat years in church and did not see the full picture of what church is. Besides Journey Church being the first church that is healthy, well rounded, and proud of it; serving, discipling, teaching, worshiping, evangelising, etc.

I realize how much church is a mission field. A place you go with purpose!!

Now I say that with the exclusion of non-saved and relatively new Christians (however, even new Christians can greet and show people the love that they've just found).

How long has it been since you got up for church and put on your pants with purpose? With passion? With expectancy to see God use YOU to reach someone at church?

It's your mission field, and a very focused one at that. You can learn as you teach (maybe not literally teach, but teach by what you do). Our church is a mission field. Go to church with ulterior motives. Go ready to learn and worship, but go ready to pour out and give. So this Sunday get on board cuz we're going on a trip!!!

Mission Trip: Missions

2009-02-28T19:25:00.003-05:00

I've been talking with Pastor about going on a mission trip to Jamaica hopefully sometime soon. Amidst ALL of the things God has been putting in my heart for Him and His people, I really want to experience other countries and cultures. Specifically, cultures and people that are TRULY suffering, fighting to live, and fighting to practice their faith. I realize that I am quite naive about what I am wanting, but honestly, if God told me that I could go anywhere and not die (this would be my first mission trip, I'd like to come back) I would go to stinking China or Iraq, seriously. My heart WANTS to suffer physically, to see hardship firsthand, I think I would still go if I was going to get beat up. It goes back to perspective. I need it. Mainly because the truth is that it is harder to live for Christ than to die for Christ. The latter is more or less someone else's choice, the first is dependent on our discipline and commitment. I want to go serve someone who only knows servanthood. I want to lay hands on and encourage a lonely minister in a third world country. I want them to lay hands on and encourage me, because I need to learn that I am a missionary in my country, and I suck at it most of the time.

Have you considered ever going on a mission trip? Maybe you need to see the same things I need to see for the strengthening of your faith?

Let's stinking DO IT!! I feel retarded because I am still on the fence of doing what I know God is calling me to do. I am willing, but still learning to just do whatever it takes to MAKE it happen. I will go on a mission trip soon, before June, God will provide the money, the place, the annointing, and please God the safety (the others are a given, but nowhere in the bible does it promise we will always be safe).

Do what God is calling you to do!! I am not a favorite, God is not calling me alone to do new things for His kingdom. Listen to Him, it will change your life. Do it now!!

Good morning...

2009-02-22T10:38:00.002-05:00

Beautiful day this Sunday morning. Crappy night of sleep, horrible dreams, extremely sore from some hard physical work. But wow beautiful day!!! I came up to church early today for a few reasons but in my driving that put me driving past a lake while the sun was coming up in astounding beauty, thank you Lord. Had an honest conversation with some leaders this morning as we got ready for worship that called out a heaviness and laziness that some leaders were experiencing. Practice was frustrating, some issues in my leadership/relationships need to be hit head on that have slipped the last few weeks with some people. But WOW what an amazing day, as God hits me hard with trusting Him, and today I had to repent of hating myself and really who God has made me. Really, I realized that I have hated my personality, my physical appearance, my leadership skills... now I DO need to grow, and I hate that I am not walking with discipline and prayer... but God has called me to be Scott Clark, whether I am loved and liked by others or not!!!

I have a tendency to over study, over analyze, over complicate my welcomes, etc.

I am re-learning over and over again to truly trust God, to write down the things God reveals to me, but to stay flexible. Today God took what I had prepared for a welcome and adjusted like every other sentence, and as I was about to look over my notes I realized that everything God had changed would go out the window if I just looked "one more time". So I decided not to look, which is a huge breakthrough for me, and God took my words and made it powerful, effective. Something that I could never do with my words.

All of that said and done, I am just saying that we need to trust who God has made us, be willing to be vulnerable (I could have forgotten everything without my notes and looked unprepared) because God will use you how He's made you, not how you think you should be.

Our perfect God loves us how He made us, imperfect.

Not to toot my own horn, but...

2009-02-18T00:40:00.003-05:00

I am realizing that I blog more than most worship pastors. Really it's kinda sad, cuz what do I get to read??? Huh? Now that's not fair to me. J/K

Really, it is sad though. You have to pick and choose between semi-boring, but good theological blogs that are consistently talking about God or you have worship pastor's blogs that are talk more often about their favorite secular CD from 2002 than the word of God. And here I am talking about them... shameful.

I hope I am down the middle. Interesting, not preachy (I am working on that one), passionate, convicted, funny, challenging. Forget the middle, I'm shooting for down right awesome!!!

You be the judge, leave me a comment and rate me on a scale of 8 to 10.

Really, sorry...

2009-02-14T23:04:00.003-05:00

I have quite a bit going on now... but I'll be honest that's not really why I haven't been blogging. I think it's just that I haven't felt very inspired to put this stuff into words.

But that's not fair to you is it?

Some things...
This last thursday we had staff meeting at the church and I led worship as usual, but this time wasn't usual. Preface - I always get nervous when starting an intimate worship time with no buffer or intro, even with church leaders, they have bad days too. So ive been trying to hit it head on and address it and charge into worship. It's been good, but this week...

From the second I started praying to open there was a peace, God's presence was HEAVY. I was planning on starting with Mighty to save for worship, but we went right into a time of silent prayer/ worship. Which if you don't know, you can probably figure it out that if it ain't a God thing it's just an awkward thing... Anyways, so I start asking myself, in the silence, "Where are these guys at?? I had a plan, but poof, there that went. You know what? We all might be ready to go right into the holy of holies!!!" Whoo Hoo!! I was nervous, cuz of course what if Im wrong and I start a slow song and kill the worship time, but who cares!! I am learning, all over again it seems, to trust the spirit God has put in me, so I start playing "The Heights" (David Crowder Band) and about an hour later we finish worship time... yeah seriously.

Everything from prophetic song to coming into agreement with the word of God to a leader singing, praying, prohesying over other leaders. Breakthrough!! Thank you God. I haven't felt that kind of annointing in probably years. I was broken for God's heart. Singing how we need to break out of the walls of the church, break out into this community. Bleed for the people that Christ has already bled for.

I'm excited, God is moving and it won't be stopped by man, or by satan, or by force. We need to protect ourselves and the leadership from what can stop it. And that's laziness, religion, fear, distraction, etc., etc..

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I am trying to meet with the members of the worship team seperately as of late, just to love on them and challenge them. Get a status check, if you will. So far I have only gotten with one of them... BUT it was a really good meeting.

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Daycare is rolling along. I uploaded more info on the new site (allnationsacademy.info). We are just waiting on inspections!! It's going to be so, so, so awesome having this as a resource.

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Got a new toy coming in the mail. I sold some guitar equipment and bought a Line 6 POD X3 Live!!! I am extremely excited!! I haven't been able to spend any dough on my equipment for quite some time now, but I was tired of fighting with my current setup so I bit the bullet and sold some gear to buy some gear. The X3 has HUGE potential sonically, sweet effects, amp/cabinet options, and distortions. SWEET!!!

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Night of Worship!!! Keep an ear out because it is coming!! This speaks to culture change. We wouldn't sell a putty cat to a Dog lover now would we?? So why would we throw a night of worship for the church if we weren't experiencing freedom and breakthrough in our services? You guys are getting worship!! Showing up ready to receive, being willing to be vulnerable for the sake of pleasing our Savior! Creator! Lover! You are hungry for God! Can't wait till tomorrow...

Where to start....

2009-02-08T23:04:00.003-05:00

its been a few weeks I think since ive blogged....... sorry.

Now........ I just finished the it book. Good book. You should read it.

I posted not too long ago about how I want God to use me to do big things (no not the big things most people think of, but kingdom things, meaningful things, everlasting things)

Things I want to commit to.
1. Be a freaking friend!! No I dont feel like Ive been valued enough by my friends (growing up was a whole nother issue) but that doesnt change my value, and that will not stop me from being the best friend I can be to others who need someone to love, encourage, and challenge them.
2. Start freaking failing!! I have already started thinking this into fruition, but I am not trying hard enough. Pastor Michael shot down an idea recently, but I'm not done thinking it through and then I'm going back to Him.
3. Freaking say what God is telling me to freaking say!! This one speaks again to my insecurities and self-conscience-ness. But I will not be afraid to be vulnerable and sound silly for the sake of life-change and loving God and people.
4. Be who God has made me!! It hurts, is scary, I still don't really know who I am (seriously), and sometimes I don't really like who I am (the flesh anyways), but God made me who I am. I will stop being ashamed to just be me. That might not be hard for you, but it is for me. Satan has done everything He can to destroy me everyday of my life, even today. He's scared of what God has put in me, and that's a freaking fact!

Fini.

Ministry is so much bigger than me...

2009-01-26T21:09:00.000-05:00

and it hurts a little sometimes to have to remember and confess that I am not in ministry because I am a world-changing leader, solely-gifted musician, or heart-piercing teacher (through God I can be any of those things, but not alone). Matter of fact I swear it seems that every time I miss a Sunday God shows up more than the weeks before, and people are blowing water out their face faster than the Hoover Dam. But this ain't about me. Honestly I have to accept that other leaders (Sarah and John) are extremely gifted when it comes to certain things. Specifically Sarah and her special songs, jeesh. She has a talent for picking songs that fit her perfect and just smash your heart to pieces. She's a beautiful singer, and God has really gifted her for worship. Sarah and John continue to teach me not to judge a song by its..... well, anything. They are naturally gifted is what I am trying to say, and I am very thankful for their calling and giftings. I strive to continually learn from them and others who have naturally what I have to learn.

How do they pic the thumbnails....stupid.....

2009-01-15T16:03:00.003-05:00

2009-01-13T20:54:00.002-05:00

Video Blogging...

2009-01-11T22:58:00.003-05:00

Yeah, it's not complete, but it's my first blog post....

Let me know what you think.

day 5...

2009-01-07T23:44:00.003-05:00

is tomorrow, but literally minutes away. Please pray that I will die of hunger...... the flesh of course.

Tonight, at church, we had our first message study group where a few people sit with Pastor Michael and study out his messages with Him. I must say it was inspiring, and sharpening. I think everyone should do it with some friends. We, realistically, are handicapped ministers (everyone) without a good understanding of God's word, and man it is FUN getting into the bible, historically and spiritually.

We have the real task of finding ways to present people with the word of God weekly and do it in such a way as to provoke change, or at least plant a seed.

I learned that A.D. means "Anno Domini" and does not stand for "after death" but signifies the BIRTH of Christ. That's awesome. Steven was martyred somewhere around 33 A.D. In that same year the bible calls Saul/Paul a young man. Interesting. Does that mean he was just over 30 or almost 30? If he was 30, that puts him around 60 when he writes Romans. That dude loved God.

Holla back...

I love....

2009-01-06T23:23:00.002-05:00

and yet hate technology. Twitter.com is so great yet so completely time consuming and potentially useless. I have set up, for the second time, a twitter account, so please check it out @ twitter.com/scottjunior or just grab the link to your right. Again it's pretty cool to see what goes on in others lives as long as it makes sense. A lot of twitter accounts I see are referencing things that are either out of context or completely random.

"Sassy Sue just laid out 5 yellow hamburgers according to historical documentation."

Huh? Well, mine will hopefully be as awesome and informative as this blog. Cross those fingers.

Today...

2009-01-04T15:59:00.002-05:00

felt so weird. Almost alien. I only had one sunday off, but jeez I felt like I hadn't been to church for half a year. It's not even that though. It's that for some reason I realized that for the most part people, some we know some we don't, show up for an hour every sunday, we sing and we talk to them about God, and then those same people go home. I kinda feel like I don't get it.

I mean, who are we that we get this attention. Like, what are people expecting from us. And boom there it is. That nasty "church" feeling. I just realized what it is. Church isn't some seminar that you sit through. Church isn't a lesson on how to be better. Church isn't a place to go to shake off your sin. I feel like, even if people aren't necessarily going to church for those reasons, that a lot of people keep others within the church at an arms length. Myself included in being kept at arms length. I saw a bunch of people today that I really do love and care for, but regardless of how we interacted this week my relationship with them will probably be exactly the same next week. I bet that's true for most people. I want to do whatever I can to make sure I am reaching people. Encouraging, challenging, loving, blessing people all over the place.

Man, church is a believers meeting where we talk about the things of God or who He is. It's a time of worship that is for God. It's a place where our shepherd reminds us what the word of God says, and then tells us to man up and do it. Or at least He should say that, and He does one way or another. Yucky, yuck!!! I got that nasty church feeling today. I don't like it.

How many people are just sitting? Counting time? How many people are out in OUR community that we are called to reach and impact. I want those people. I want to see, interestingly enough, the community become the committed, the committed become the core, and I want the core to get hotter for God. I don't want to have church, I want to have contact. With God and His people.

I'm so ready....

2009-01-03T21:31:00.002-05:00

to go back to work. I've been joking about this with a few people, but now I'm serious, that I wish we could have had a staff meeting right before our vacations so that way what we have to do this next week would have been nailed down and I wouldn't have spent the last 10 days sweating it out. I've been thinking about work when I should have been resting!!!!!! AAAAAAHHHHHHH

Oh well, I'll be glad to be back to work. Period. However if certain changes were to take place in these next few months (no i cant tell you stop asking)(ok well actually I can say one of them and it's the daycare opening)(there I told you one so stop asking)(no I really cant tell you the other things)(well really i probably could but there not that secret so you might already know them) then my weeks will be quite different. Even if I get just one more day a week to focus on ministry, like message prep or worship team strategy, it will make a world of difference. And that might be a reality. I'm excited to see what will happen this next year.

I officially just ate my last meal before this 10 day daniel fast. I'm exited and scared. I am not fast to fast. HE HE. This is really a big deal for me; in the area of food sacrifice and the physical/ time sacrifices I will be making for this fast. While most others are going to have a normal 10 days, my life just might be changed coming out of this. I am extremely excited to look back in 11 days and say I did it!!!!!! It will be an accomplishment. Pray for me for strength and for the worship team in this time that we will see the back of God's head. HE HE again. (If you didn't catch that refrence read Exodus, around the commandment stuff. Really all we are doing in this time is asking God to reveal Himself to us. That's it. It better work. The pain, sacrifice, hunger, bleeding (just kidding), seeking, praying better get God's attention. That's all we are doing is saying "God, we hung-ry, we frus-rated cuz we want a steak. We want to watch tv or whatever, but aren't going to. Please hear us."

God we want MORE OF YOU!!!!!!!!!! That's the answer to it all. You.

Distractions...

2008-12-29T21:56:00.001-05:00

like really...

this last week to 10 days have thrown me so outta whack it's not funny. As pastors we have this week off to rest and refresh our spirits but wow, as I remember (because apparently I have forgotten) all that is coming up, I am finding that it is like walking up a steep mountainside barefoot with no food. Seriously, I am so beat down by these last (holi)days that I am really finding it hard to be productive, even in resting. I am distracted, tired, a little discouraged from some things that have happened lately. I feel unprepared in my rest time to accomplish anything.

But that doesn't change the fact that...

The worship team and myself and possibly some other leaders are preparing for a fast (are supposed to be) and all I could think about a week ago was the fast and how I was ready to do ANYTHING to find God. To starve for Him, whatever. I wanted to know Him more. Well the deadline is coming up for starting the fast (this Sunday) and I still hadn't really communicated with my team about the start date or shared my heart with the other leaders about joining us.

Well last night I just had to face that this was a God thing not an emotional thing. God called us to this and I just have to man up. I sat down and emailed my team, shared my vision and time line for the fast, and challenged others to join. It's going to happen. I need this fast. I need God in such a new way, and now I just have to follow through and show some discipline. I've fasted before, but never with a desperation for God, never really wanting to see God NOW in His splendor moving in my life, and now I am really struggling with that hunger for........ hunger. Pray for me, cause' I need this time to get with God. I know I am called to a new standard of life and relationship with God, but I am getting the crap beat outta me.

But... God is bigger.

Why I worship...

2008-12-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

My passion for music thrives in songs that involve new ways to communicate with God “I’m Counting on You”, singing straight to him “Lord You are Good”, or publicly honoring Him “Our God is an Awesome God”. I always try to pick music for worship sets that will encourage and challenge the people taking part, and give them a chance to declare their faith, even when it seems hard or unemotional. Our goal in worship is to love, honor, exalt, put our trust in, and declare God’s name in all the Earth. Worship is about God, but He is so loving and kind, that He will respond to us with healing, release annointing on us, or give us revelation about our circumstances. He may even respond by revealing more about who He is. Some people get so focused on receiving during worship that they lose focus on what worship truly is and miss out on all these things.

I was reminded of something a few weeks ago while I was singing a worship song that a mainstream christian artist wrote. It talked about bringing our worship as an offering. To those who say “DUH,” I will now refer you all back to my subbanner on the front page. Too often, we breeze by words like “offering” without thinking about them, and sometimes throw words like “sacrifice” and “offering” into the same catagory. Even the dictionary is guilty of this to some degree. Well, STOP THAT! The dictionary doesn’t have a disclaimer in the back stating that its God breathed, so sometimes it might not have it all right. Sacrifice, in the old testament, was a mandatory, religious act required by LAW. Now, you could offer a sacrifice from the heart, but I believe that you’d be taking part in something more like an offering. It’s ALL from the heart, nothing is required. It’s above and beyond anything a sacrifice could ever be. That is worship! That’s what is so great about our worship. It doesn’t have to be full of hype and emotion to be a true offering to God. We’re standing there, lifting up a song to God, hoping to enter into His throne room because we’re forgiven. It’s just us and God. He’s the one that will make it passionate and fun. It’s relationship; an overflow of our time with Him throughout the week. We have to stop faking this, or we’ll be in danger of missing out on the blessings of worship.

Seriously???

2008-12-18T13:24:00.000-05:00

Is it really a week away from Christmas???
Wow, that’s scary.

My little girl is 7 months old???
Wow, that’s horribly scary.

I’m 24, and I feel like I am JUST now tapping into who God is, how to walk out my faith (to where it actually causes something to happen, cuz that’s how big God is), and realizing that I have to do whatever it takes to see the people around me grow closer to God.

Wow, that’s eternally scary.

Life is really so short. Again, I’m 24 and I am realizing this, what about those that are older, you’ve got less time. (I say this intentionally, not to be mean, but if you’re anything like me [stubborn, hard-headed, self-minded] you need to be SHAKEN, sometimes really anxious, and scared to make the necessary changes) Well……. we only have so much time on this earth.

I’ve found that I really need perspective in my life. I need a mission trip to really see for myself, that which I know, that America is nothing else like the rest of the world. Man, people are dying daily for the name of Jesus Christ. Husbands, wives, sons, daughters. They experience God daily because they have nothing else to rely on; to distract them. I need a fast to REALLY seek God, to get out of my daily routine.

You know, I really dont know what to do with myself after 6pm EVERY night. I watch TV. No matter what is on, seriously. I realized this just a day ago when I sat down at 8, after burning 2 hours waiting for “my” shows to come on, and watched 2 completely uninteresting, boring shows because both my shows were not on. Wow. Life is so much better than this……

I need perspective. My God can raise the dead. My God can create a new heart out of a broken, or wicked, or greedy, or distracted, or sin-filled, or adulterous heart. My God can change the heart of a nation, or send out people to establish a new one, think about it now, 200? years later. My God can and has made me useful through my failures, sins, weaknesses (And my God promises that that will not change any time soon, for you either). My God shaped my daughter in her mommies womb. My God CAN heal me, heal you.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Now, NOW NOW NOW. The power of God is here NOW!!

I want God near, in, around, working through me. And an awesome bonus besides KNOWING God is that He doesn’t go anywhere without His power!!!!

Are you ready for real life too?

The worship team...

2008-12-18T13:23:00.002-05:00

over the last year.

Me, Sarah, Matt, Amanda, John, Mark.

We’ve lost some people and gained some. John went from guitarist to heading up our youth worship team and co-leading on Sundays. Matt has switched from acoustic to bass, and Kevin left the team to focus on source groups, which was an awesome advancement for source groups. Marsha got married and left us. / I was not even a staff member this time last year, I don’t think so anyways. We have changed formats/ service order about 20 times, and every time was to please the heart of God. We’ve done 4 songs, 3 songs, songs written by us, special communion songs, RIP your face off praise God’s face songs, etc., etc..

I know there is more, but I want to say that this year will be so much crazier and more effective if we, the worship team, stay before God, and really start pushing back on God (in a good way) as He challenges our faith. Meaning we start taking Him at His word, biblically, and in relational revelation. I believe God has called us to a fast in January, and I am believing, and praying, because God has spoken, that a second worship team will be raised up this year. A second team consists of NEW, unstretched, undistracted, musicians, singers, and worship leaders. All this amongst the changes and plans God has called us to as a church. HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE.

You know why? Because I think we’ve caught just a small, teenie, tiny glimpse of the God that we serve. I know that I have, and God please give us more of You.

Breanne...

2008-12-18T13:23:00.001-05:00

is 7 months and 9 days old today, and wow she is getting so big. I finally found and bought the necessary cord to connect our video camera up to my computer so I can store the files on a dvd, and as I watched the first 2 months of video I was amazed at how huge she is compared to just 4-5 months ago. It’s scary knowing she’s growing up and there’s nothing I can do about it. But it’s also so amazing, even before she was born, at 5 weeks old, at the size of, I think, a seed, her heart was already beating (that’s a fact, look it up).

As many times as I’ve listed the bad habits I’ve gotta break before she gets too old, I have not quit doing them, and I think she’s a lot more perceptive to what Ashley and I do than we realize. It’s also no help that she’s ahead on her developmental skills than average babies. Thank you God!!! We took her to the doctor’s yesterday and she is a wonderful 16.4 pounds, healthy, smart, table paper destroying little baby. The doctor walked in and I just informed her that the shredded and balled up paper on the table was there when we walked in, and so were the other 2 sheets in the trash…….

She had shots yesterday and lately her cries have been much more emotional, sounding upset, angry, ANGRY!! Well, she’s always had one that when she is REALLY upset or like when she’s gotten shots before, she has a certain cry that starts normal but it quickly goes subsonic and you can no longer hear her but she continues to fade a deep shade of red with mouth wide open and tears filling her eyes.

Well lately when she really cries for help (she fell on the tile yesterday morning resulting in a compact version of this cry) I’ve found the urge to immediately find someone and rip their head off for her sake, and so I can blame someone for her pain. I mean, before I even know what’s going on or where she is as soon as I hear that sound I have to force myself to get away from the walls as to not put an arm through them. Needless to say, I don’t like my little girl crying…

But I realize NOW THAT SHES CRAWLING that these will be much more common around our house, she’s growing and growing and growing.

Life is rolling on for Her for me for the church….. you know, what other beautiful, little things are we missing out on daily as EVERYTHING around us just keeps rolling on?

Needs to change...

2008-12-18T13:22:00.001-05:00

Romans 1 to sum up… Paul attirutes to ungodly and unrighteous people as those who did not honor God and give thanks to God as God. That scares the frik outta me. Because if we stop screwing around and lying to ourselves I would at least admit that I dont even treat God as good as a king, or spouse even……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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……………………………………………….. and it’s that kinda crap that has to be fixed.

Am I ungodly and unrighteous? Heck yes, but I dont want that to be said of me because I did not treat God as God.

Warning, I'm in a mood...

2008-12-18T13:19:00.000-05:00

I’m starting to wonder more and more… If jesus had just left, 2008, died and rose again, then ascended, 2008. No churches, no leadership, just religious folk. Who would be the apostles…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Would I? Would you?

Who the freak would have the guts to be a man, stand up, and do what God is saying to do. No wonder they hid away in a room, all huddled together. I am churchified….. I really don’t know how to follow God day in and day out. I get it right, a little, sometimes, but man…. to have no leadership telling me what to do next. Well, oddly enough I’m getting stupid (and desperate) enough to wonder what would happen if I said to hell (bibically, of course) with expectations, and consequences, nothing compares with obeying God and taking STUPID (according to unbelievers) leaps of faith to see God move in, through, and before me.

I’m reading Romans eight times this month, that’s how CRAZY I am.
Really, even that’s lame…

Seriously, I have a wife and daughter, and family and friends whom I love very much, so to put it all second hurts. But, by God, I hate them all compared to how much I want to love God, who solely deserves my love and obedience. I don’t know what I have to do, but I know that my life is meant for so much more than this. These can’t be just empty words. Will I die for God? Can I live for God?