Scott Miller Blog :: Good Stuff

Gideon

I've been studying the story of Gideon in the book of Judges all week (Judges 6-8). Have some time and desire to dig deeper in the Word? Join me…share with me what you see in the story…email or comment…

Right now I'm a bit amazed by this thought – God made His promise to Gideon before repentance had even taken place? Still developing this thought, but God promised to help Gideon strike down the Midianites, and that whole scene…then the 1^st offering was offered up, followed by the 2^nd offering, which included the tearing down of the idolatrous altar of Baal and such (and using it's wood for the fire…hah!...I love it).

God is not looking for the most spiritual among us, He's looking for the obedient and dedicated to His plan. Hopefully the most obedient and dedicated are the most "spiritual among us."

He's more interested in your direction than perfection. You see this theme in the OT where God even used a prostitute, and the NT, where God used imperfect fishermen who turned into deserters!

What do you think?

How’d the Skype thing go?

For those outside of Pathway…I would say the whole 5-10 minute Skype interview with Johnny Ropple went amazingly smooth from a technical standpoint (I say technical standpoint b/c it's Johnny Ropple…as far as a non-technical, 'content' standpoint, you've got to work with what you've got here…hah…just joking…Johnny did great!). The video was in sync with the audio, and the full screen shot of the video was great.

For those of you who were there…what did you think? Could this be a way we could keep in touch with more of our missionaries on a regular basis? Shoot me an email, or post a comment…I'd love to hear your response.

Miracle by Subtraction

You ever feel like God is setting you up for a miracle? The kind of miracle that blaringly points out that this really shouldn't have happened like this, BUT GOD! BUT GOD blessed it, and blessed your faith, which caused you to be crazy enough to listen and follow Him.

I was reading Judges 7, the story where Gideon defeats the Midianites. I love this story. Gideon has this huge army, and God says, "thin it out boys, so that you hard headed oafs won't think you did this in your own strength." This huge army was dwindled down to a group of 300 water lapping crazy faith people. These are the kind of people I want to hang out with! You can take your well thought out, by the book answers, and develop your strategies. I'll take a group of crazy faith, hearing from God, getting it done no matter the costs, kind of people any day!

Ok, ok, I know that we need to consider the cost and all that, but I've learned "by the book answers" and "strategizing" can at times CONSTIPATE the very creativity that God is trying to resurrect in you! Maybe we could call it a miracle by subtraction? God's trying to set you up for a miracle that may take you down a very uneasy, hit rock bottom, not the way you planned it, process. YOU THINK GOD'S LEFT YOU HANGING HERE…But what He's really doing is clearing out the army, clearing out all of man's brilliant ideas, so that when His plan happens, everyone will know it was Him b/c you aren't that smart!!! He's doing a miracle by subtracting every man made solution, and inserting the one plan that only God could pull off!

Hello! Somebody comment an Amen here or something…that's good preaching my friend! I might have to get up and dance around for a minute as I think about how God's setting YOU up right now!!! AMEN – SO BE IT!

Presidential Blah’s – Who do I vote for?

Tuesday greetings to you…my brain is feeling kind of clogged recently. I think I need to have a brain rotor-rooter or something. Why is it that I feel so blah about the whole Presidential race? Are any of you feeling like this?

My friend Jeff Leake has a great post on how to process who to vote for if you're interested…

Economic Situation

I couldn't have said it any better…take a minute to read through Ron Johnson's thoughts on the current economic situation (thanks to Jeff Leake for the heads up):

The past few weeks we have seen unbelievable developments as the economy of this nation experiences the biggest earthquake since the Great Depression. Each day we turn on our televisions and open our newspapers to more and more economic bad news. It seems like an endless list of bank failures and corporate bankruptcies. The Wall Street roller coaster has become increasingly like a sickening ride at the county fair. Where is this ride going and how are we to as believers to prepare and to respond to the events of the financial markets?

I believe it has become obvious to us all that we have entered some very uncertain times and like never before our confidence must be in the Lord. The writer of Hebrews says, "Everything that can be shaken will be shaken that what can not be shaken will remain. Therefore since we are receiving a kingdom that can not be shaken, let us worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." What an incredible perspective from the Word of God on what is going on right now.

It also begs the question of how should the believer respond to today's events and how can we maintain our personal equilibrium in an ever increasing world of instability? Allow me to give you some helpful principles to remember.

1. Remember God Is Your Source of Supply - Our source as believers is the Lord and He is trying to get our attention through the events that are transpiring. He wants us to know He can be trusted. He desires to prove to us again and again that He will take care of us. The Lord is our Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord Our Provider.) Your job is not your source, nor your bank, neither is the economy of this world your source. Your source is the Lord. Put your confidence in Him.

2. Remember God's Law of Sowing and Reaping - The world's economic system operates through buying and selling, however the Kingdom of God's economic system is based on sowing and reaping. It is easy to get fearful and back away from this when the systems of this world get shaken. However, heaven does not have recessions or depressions. The economy of heaven is secure and the scripture says, "Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven where moth and rust do not corrupt and where thieves break in and steal."

3. Remember To Live Thankful - We all experience so much of God's love and favor! Living thankful helps us keep our balance in a world that is rocking and reeling. Thanksgiving gives us an eternal perspective and helps us stay focused on the important things of life. It is amazing how an attitude of gratitude changes our point of view from negative to positive. It creates an atmosphere that will attract the presence of the Lord and be inviting to other people as well.

These are simple truths that need to be practiced in these uncertain times. I believe they will not only help us to live fruitful, productive lives, but will keep us centered when everything around us is shaking.

Rain in October

The only thing good about rainy, dreary days in October, is the joy of knowing that in just a month or two this rain will be SNOW!!!! LET'S HEAR IT FOR NORTHERN INDIANA LAKE EFFECT SNOW…WAHOO!!!

This Sunday: James, Skype interview with Johnny Ropple

What a week…busy week…good week…productive week…

Heading back to James 4 on Sunday…Dealing with the whole - Why do we have quarrels and fighting? Spring boarding off of last week…

This Sunday, we are going to do a Skype interview (Skype is one of those online talking/video things) with a former Pathway guy named Johnny Ropple (picture above taken of Johnny whilst doing a test of our skype abilities this week). I blogged on what he's doing months ago…he's a part of the staff of the new church plant - Centerpoint in Chillicothe, OH (south of Columbus).

Amo’s against the Engo’s

One of my kids have made the decision to be involved in a real sport my friends…none of this soccer shmocker stuff…I'm talking dribbling a ball down the court and throwing it through a steel hoop…now that is a sport my friends!

Upwards Basketball time is here, and it looks as if I might very well be the coach of one 4^th grade girl's basketball team. I played a little playground ball in my day. I remember one time, we even beat the Amish team. (Why was that such a great feat to beat the Amish team…why was there an Amish and as we were called, English, team?...the Amo's against the Engo's…I feel funny even typing that…feels racist) I've always loved the game of basketball. Don't play it much anymore, but I used to. I used to be able to slam dunk a ball…on a 9 foot rim of course…but I was still fulfilling the boyhood dream of many an Indiana boy.

Upwards Basketball…looks as if my Saturday's this winter will be filled with sounds of people cheering, kids crying, game ending horns blowing, and endless questioning of "why haven't we won a game yet???" I really do enjoy the interaction with new families and kids though. An opportunity to Serve There…

Want to serve through Upwards? Email the Upwards team, including Pathway's very own Gary and Shayne Cripe, with every question you may ever have about the subject, @ upwardmiddlebury@gmail.com. (or you could always call them @ 825-2689…if you do call them, and get the answering machine, sing a song to them or something…let's just bombard them with our favorite childhood songs)

PMS, Missionaries, and Nose Hairs

That's what I have on Saturday's and Monday's…Pre-ministry syndrome and Post-ministry syndrome. Typically on Monday mornings I have 10% brain function for most of the day…but not today! This had to be one of my most productive Monday mornings in a LONG time (as if you really care about the productivity of my Monday's). Jason brought the Word powerfully yesterday (with help from Nancy Royer and Shanda Olinger/Royer), and therefore, he is left with PMS today. Good for him…couldn't have happened to a better guy.

Megan and I had lunch with one of our missionaries to the Philippines, Herb and Karen Johnson. These guys have been plugging away now on the mission field for 34 years! Holy Cow! They went to the mission field the year I was born! They are walking in their gift of teacher, and multiplying themselves. Great to have the opportunity for Pathway to team up with them!

Spent the evening with the girls (Megan was out for the evening, sowing her wild outs with another one of you Pathway people). Played a rousing game of Kid's Scrabble (Disney version), and a few card games, after watching a commercial infested Alice in Wonderland on the Disney Channel. My oldest informed me that she learned about nose hairs today at school. Apparently, nose hairs were placed in one's nose for the main reason of collecting germs. I then continued on with what seems the logical progression of how those nose hair connected germs then create…well…I'll let you finish out the thought. She wasn't too excited about my further conclusions though.

Here We Go Celebration/Funny video

3 years ago, we put this video together for our celebration Sunday of our campaign.  Video footage includes the Sunday of our spontaneous baptism (where I shared my message whilst being soaking wet), other baptism shots, various Pathway service shots...the best is after 1:50 when it turns into a bit of a gag real...the whole video culminates with none other than our very own Keith and Lacei Grabill dancing on stage at church...and it's not in the Spirit let me tell you (it was from a skit they did on a missions trip with the students as I remember).  Check it out!

Middlebury Prays

Thought I'd put this on your horizon here…the week of January 19^th, we (the Middlebury churches) are taking on a never before attempted task! One full week, of 24/7 prayer! Details yet to be worked out, but so far the venue will be The Café Crossing (across the street from Harding's Supermarket), and each church will take on the task of filling at least one day.

Along with this week of prayer will be our annual pulpit exchange…oops…note to self – start organizing the pulpit exchange.

Gift Certificate Thanks

Here are a few excerpts from letters/emails that have come in from those who've received one of our $20 gift certificates...take a minute to read through them all!

My husband and I can't even begin to express our extreme gratitude that you have shown towards our family.  I am an elementary school teacher and luckily we are barely making ends meet.  Gas and groceries seem to be the two items that receive only what is "left over".  Your gift certificate will be put to use.  All our thanks...

I want to thank you and your church family for the generous gift!  It comes at a perfect time as my wife has been waiting for some things to fall into place before she went grocery shopping.  Your gift was among three letters that we had received the same day and all contained a financial blessing!...We were brought to tears as we opened your gift knowing that God had spoke to you to be His hands!  I want you and your church to know that you have made a difference in our lives!  Thank you so much...

Thank you for the $20.00 Gift certificate you sent me recently, it will help me out a great deal due to my job loss at pilgrim.  This has affected me since I only have a scooter for a source of transportation, I must find work nearby.  Do you know of anyone who has work for me at this time?  I am receiving unemployment with child support taken out and this makes it hard for me to make ends meet...Thank you...

I just want to say Thank you so much for you letter I got in the mail today.  You have no idea what this meant to us. It could not have come at a better time. We know times are hard right now, and we do know we will get threw times like this, with people like you and your church.  Please tell everyone, thank you so much.  God bless you all...

Here's one last message to you...

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

- Jesus (Matthew 25)

Jesus is a Friend of David Crowder as well

Check out the new version of Jesus is a Friend of Mine (song that debuted all over the blogosphere a few months ago)...this round it's with worship guy David Crowder...

Thanks to MMI for the heads up...

Monday – Maust Design Group, Sunday Message, 398

Spent some time this morning with my pal Shawn Maust…great to get caught up on what the Lord's doing in his life. Along with serving part time at Grace Community Church in Mishawaka, he's helped start up the Maust Design Group. They do websites – if you need one – call him!

Also, spent some time working through Jason's message (with Jason) for Sunday. I think I have just as much fun coaching him to prepare as I do preparing by myself!!! It's going to be a great message by the way...a powerful story of reconciliation will be shared right in the middle of it. Don't miss it!

One last blab…did you know we had 398 people here this past Sunday morning? Whenever we reach a number like that, I can't help but to think about the handful of people I didn't see Sunday. Not going to mention any names, but I know that a certain 4 guys were at the Colts game…again…not mentioning any names (Mike and Matt Holloway, and Tim and Evan Stark)…I'm not one to mention names (Mike and Matt Holloway, and Tim and Evan Stark)…I wouldn't want these fella's to feel like they were the whole reason we didn't make it over the 400 mark this week (Mike and Matt Holloway, and Tim and Evan Stark)…these great men of God decided to worship at the feet of Peyton Manning as opposed to Pathway…hah!

(truth be told, if I would have had tickets, I would have been there with them!...attendance 397)

Urban Outreach – Washington Park Church a go!

This past February, a team of us went down to Urban Outreach in East St. Louis, to help out on their Washington Park (town minutes from ESL) church building. Tomorrow, that church will 'officially' be set in order and start holding weekly services! We helped prepare the tool (building) that has led to a new church, in a community desperate for a move of God. Good stuff…

The picture below is of the new sanctuary space for the actual ESL church. They had just purchased this soon before we were there.

Jay Covert and Urban Outreach are tearing it up my friends…

Pathway Building Video

I just re-watched this video footage we shot back in 2005 as we were in the midst of our Here We Go Stewardship Campaign.  It walks you through some of the building history of Pathway over the past 8 years.  There's even a shot of our garage days (we met in a garage for the first 2 years of our existence).  Enjoy all 6 minutes of it!!!

Mark Potterbaum actually shot and did this whole video...he did a great job!

Hopeless

Hopeless...that's what I felt this morning at 6:20am. I was minutes from walking out of the house for a breakfast appnt at 6:30am, and my youngest came running into our bedroom crying and a bit traumatized. She said something about her nose bleeding. I didn't really understand b/c she only had a little bit of red around her nose. Megan picked her up to hold her, and I went into her room to try to figure this out.

 

On her pillow, next to her Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck (and a plethora of her other stuffed animal friends), was a pool of blood, about 12 inches wide. I have a hard time dealing with blood in the first place, but seeing your child's blood like that...wow, too much for me to take. My heart broke.

 

My instincts kicked in, and I removed the blood stained pillow case, pillow, and sheets from the bedroom ASAP so she wouldn't see them again. I felt this hopelessness start to sink in. What in the world is happening with her? Why did she have this bloody nose issue? Is something more serious wrong? I knew Megan had issues like this when she was little, but could this be a sign of something else?

 

I prayed a simple prayer of faith with Megan and her, as she fell back to sleep in Megan's arms. We laid her in our bed as she continued to sleep. After a while, I laid down next to her. She wrapped her little arms around my big hairy oaf arms, and clasped her hands together. She held on to my arm as she slept in peace.

 

I didn't want to move, but I had to help get her sister off to school, etc., so I gently slid my arm out of her grasp, and she rolled over and continued to sleep.

 

Reminds me of our Father's love. God actually asks us to come to him…run to him…and bring him our bloody noses. He then envelopes us in peace as we clasp our hands around his mighty arm. We run to Him, and rest in Him.

 

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Northridge High School Bomb Threat/Spirit of Fear

This morning, a piece of graffiti in one of the men's restrooms caused alarm that there might be a security issue at the high school. Nothing was found.

• Read about it here from Principal Steven Lyng (very thorough response…thanks to Principal Lyng!)
• Read about it here on WSBT's website
• Pray about it right now, and there is nowhere to click through for that one.

Really, at the risk of sounding hyper spiritual, there is a spirit of fear that is trying to grip our community. It involves the safety of our families (yesterday's knife issue with a young boy at Heritage Intermediate and today's bomb threat), our finances/jobs, as well as the overall peace in our lives. God hasn't given us a spirit of fear. Pray with me that the Lord would rain down peace on us all. Amen.

Joe Jackson

(it was a camera phone…throw me a bone here)

Former defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings, Joe Jackson, just stopped by my office…how about those apples. He's in the area speaking at a few of our high schools. Now he's the staff evangelist at Phoenix First Church in Phoenix, AZ, as well as Pro Director for Athletes International Ministries.

Too bad we didn't have more time, I would have shown him a few of my middle school football moves. Like the one where I would tuck my hands into my football jersey when it got cold standing on the sidelines. Or the one where I would try to look really mean when put up against the opposing teams center with one minute left in the game (only to end up on my backside every time).

God’s Will Wheel

Used this "Discernment Wheel" (for a lack of a better description) yesterday as I talked about how we can discern the leading of the Holy Spirit. The message should be here later on this week if you are interested.

(adapted from Preparing for Marriage by Dennis Rainey)

I think the most unused "spoke" on this wheel is our desires and circumstances. These 2 things don't seem as "spiritual" as the others, but I'm convinced God speaks to us through those more than we know!

Potential - Body

Are you serving God with all your strength/potential???

We've already dealt with your spirit and your soul, so let's finish up as we look at your body! Are you living up to your potential in this area? Are you exercising your body? Are you eating healthy? Ouch!

What about Sabbath? Are you taking a regular Sabbath? Sabbath is about taking one day a week to rest…to cease creating! One day a week to put away the cell phone, turn off the email, sleep in, take time with family, and simply rest. Give this day to the pursuit of enjoying God and His people. Are you doing this? If not, what makes you think you can get away without a Sabbath and even God needed one (he rested on the 7^th day)? Do you realize this is one of the 10 commandments? It's as wrong for you to commit adultery as it is for you to not take a Sabbath.

Jesus served others with all of his strength. There's not a doubt in my mind that by the time he said "it is finished" on the cross, that included every ounce of physical strength he could muster. Jesus set the bar when it came to loving/serving God with all of your strength…are you up to the challenge?

New Amish Cheese

So…you've got your Amish furniture, your Amish vegetables, your Amish houses, your Amish peanut butter, your Amish bread, your Amish televisions, (well, maybe not televisions…), your Amish cheese…yah, cheese…that's nothing new, is it?

What's so new about Amish cheese?

Nothing's new other than according to the South Bend Tribune, Sargento (a national cheese packaging type place), has picked up Middlebury's very own Deutsch Käse Haus cheese for one of their limited edition cheeses!

How about that…maybe this is the answer to the RV slow down…transform all of our closed down RV manufacturers into a cheese making facilities! Hmmmmm…

www.servehereservethere.com

Here's the inside scoop for anyone who loves my blog so much, they sit around on Saturday nights reading every line of it.

www.servehereservethere.com

Tomorrow morning I will be handing out $10 bills to every person who is at Pathway. Short version – everyone will have 2 weeks to serve someone with this money. Then we will ask them to share their story at www.servehereservethere.com!

Will blog more about it in the next few days…really pumped to see how the Holy Spirit uses this to open our eyes to the needs of those around us!

Fasting Time

Trying to download some of my thoughts from this week's fast. One thing I keep feeling the Holy Spirit lay on my heart is that this fast was about more than just Wednesday night. As you were fasting and praying this week, there were things that were happening that we have yet to know about! The Holy Spirit works that way…

What did you sense the Holy Spirit was doing over the past few days as we prayed and fasted?

Potential - Soul

Are you serving God with all your strength/potential???

Let me zoom this in a little bit further…we've already dealt with your spirit, what about your soul? Your soul is made up of 3 areas as I see it. So how are you living to your full potential in these areas:

• Emotions – When you hear about the sex trade going on involving young Philippino girls, you ought to get a bit emotional. When you are brought in on hard life issues involving lives of people you work with, you ought to get hit in the gut! God wants to use your emotions to serve him!
• Intellect – God has given some of you great minds to use for his Kingdom purposes. Are you using your intellect to its full potential?
• Will – Our will must be submitted to his will. Where do you fall on this? The values that you will not bow or bend on in your life – are they God things?

What do you think?

Just Pray…Yesterday

It's 1:45pm, and I finally have a spare minute to write about Just Pray last night. It was a record (for Just Pray) crowd that filled the sanctuary with all kinds of prayer last night. It had a different feel than our past Just Pray's in that it was more focused on people being healed and filled! I left there thinking "this is exactly what we needed tonight." If the Lord healed you, filled you, let me know about it!

(My brother in law, Chad McAtee, was with us last night…what a great guy!...you can go to his church's website here)

2 Subways in Middlebury

How about that…Middlebury is getting another Subway restaurant! Across the street from Pathway, where Flavor Freeze used to be, there will now be a Subway restaurant (with a different owner than the one down by Coachmen).

Now if only we could get a Taco Bell at one of our area gas stations. Wait…we already do! Who would want to live anywhere but here! Woohooooo!

(All kidding aside, I remember when the first fast food chain came to Middlebury back in the day – Dairy Queen…many moons ago…I wish the new Subway the best of luck, and might just join them for a 6 inch meatball soon!)

Potential - Spiritual

This past Sunday I talked about what it means to love/serve God with all your strength. It all comes down to this question – Are you living up to your potential? Living up to our potential defines whether we are loving/serving God with all our strength!

Take a minute to assess yourself. Am I serving him with all my strength today? Spirit, Soul, and Body…am I living up to my potential.

Let's start with Spirit…Spiritually are you living up to your potential?

3 Questions to help guide your assessment:

Have I changed anything b/c of my time in the Word this week?

Have I changed anything b/c of my prayer time this week?

Can I name one way in which I've served here and there this week?

What do you think?