Scott Miller Blog :: Good Stuff

March Madness – Spiritual Gifts

I wanted to throw this 2007 series back out to you. March Madness was a series I did on the Spiritual Gifts, 1 Corinthians 12-14. The last 2 were probably the most pertinent to our recent messages on the Holy Spirit coming ON you.

Messages: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Four Worms and a Lesson

A minister decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon. Four worms were placed into four separate jars. The first worm was put into a container of alcohol. The second worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke. The third worm was put into a container of chocolate syrup. The fourth worm was put into a container of good clean soil. At the conclusion of the sermon, the Minister reported the following results: The first worm in alcohol - Dead. The second worm in cigarette smoke - Dead Third worm in chocolate syrup - Dead Fourth worm in good clean soil -  Alive. So the Minister asked the congregation - What can you learn from this demonstration? Maxine was sitting in the back, quickly raised her hand and said, 'As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate, you won't have worms!' That pretty much ended the service --

Thanks to Bill Howell for the spam of an email forward…

Stop Praying & Have a Business Mtng

I love this…look at Acts 1…Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Gift of the Holy Spirit. They were praying, all 120 of them. Really, verse 14 says "they all joined together constantly in prayer." And what did they decide to do, right in the middle of this whole prayer, seeking God thing…THEY HAD A BUSINESS MTNG!

They had to figure out what they were going to do about the loss of Judas. I love this! Being filled with the Holy Spirit, walking out in the Gift of the Holy Spirit, isn't just about some sort of Holy Spirit La La land. It's about being empowered for every day stuff!

In charismatic circles, some people live from church service to church service. It's almost like they are addicted to the "spiritual high" they get going from outpouring to outpouring. What about the times in between? What about the fruit of the Spirit (which speaks to your spiritual maturity) called "faithfulness?"

Living out your faith in faithful, everyday ways, is just as important as a prayer mtng. Having a business mtng (aka – paying your bills on time, showing up at work on time, serving faithfully, living in the everyday) is just as important as a prayer mtng!

Get it? Good stuff…more on Sunday…

2008 Pathway Poetry

Happy Thanksgiving and all that kind of stuff!

I love short work weeks, and hate them at the same time!  Great to get away and spend time with the family, but work still needs to get done my friends (even with 2 less days).

Stop for a minute and just take in what the Lord is doing in your life right now.  Think about what He's doing in our church right now.  This morning we spent time as a staff trying to pinpoint what it is that has caused such a surge of "momentum" in the church right now.  I think the Sabbatical played into it...fresh leaders lead to fresh life and vision.  I think the whole emphasis on Serve Here Serve There, and all of the outreach things we did played a huge role in it.  I think the economy probably played a role in it.  I think all of us really digging in spiritually played a role in it. 

But at the end of the day, I would say there are times in a church's life when the Holy Spirit simply says, "yah, now is the time to thrust/propel them forward."  I think we can do our part to setup structures, make bold decisions, but ultimately, you've got to have the wind of the Holy Spirit blowing you forward.  Not an either or, but a both and. 

I'm thankful for you church.  I'm thankful for a church that loves Jesus, and is driven to be more like Him.  I'm thankful for a church that is willing to change, and keep changing so that we can be/do what God has called us to do.  I'm thankful for a church that is willing to follow those that lead them, and trust the Holy Spirit is leading them! 

Really...I love you church! 

2008 has been great, but 2009 will be divine. 

2008 was anything but late, 2009 we'll be abiding in the vine.

2008...can't think of another one...can you?  Do share in the comments…

Where's the Beef?

While stopping in Numbers 11 this morning, I referenced the Wendy's commercial starring the "where's the beef" lady. For those of you not blessed with the opportunity to grow up in the 80's, here it is!

Holy Spirit coming on You

I'm sitting here (well, really, I'm pacing, walking, typing, sitting, etc…hard to sit still when going over my message notes) trying to get my hands around this thought – if only every believer could understand the difference between the Holy Spirit being in you (at salvation), and the Holy Spirit coming on you.

Since I'm in Judges, talking about Gideon, look at his experience. The Holy Spirit came ON him. The ESV version of the Bible says the Holy Spirit clothed him (Judges 6:34). Did this work of the Holy Spirit bring him into any kind of a further "right" standing before God? Nope. This was taken care of by the sacrificial offerings he had done earlier in the chapter.

The Holy Spirit coming ON him had one main thing to accomplish – empowerment to do what God was calling him to do. Same thing for Bezalel and Oholiab (Exodus 31:1-11 and 35:30-35), Othniel (Judges 3:9-10), Jephthah (Judges11:29), and Samson (Judges 14:5-6; 15:14-16).

But the good news is, Joel prophesied (Joel 2) that the day is coming where the Holy Spirit will no longer just be poured out, and come ON, individual persons, at specific times…but it will be poured out on us all. Insert Acts 2.

Did what happened in Acts 2 have anything to do with these men and women being more "saved" or in "right" standing before God? Nope. It had everything to do with them being empowered to do what God was calling them to do…with Power!

You get it? Can't wait to bring the word tomorrow…

Put Your Clothes On!

This is exactly what God did to Gideon…he had him put his clothes on! This Sunday is going to be great!

Judges 6:34 ³⁴Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon (ESV - ³⁴But the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon), and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.

Romantic Hockey Game?

Tonight, we're dropping the kids off at grandpa and grandma's house, and Megan and I are going to take in a romantic evening of…ND Hockey. Someone gave us free tickets, so I was all over it.

I have only been to one hockey game in my life, and that was years ago. Hockey is much like that silly sport of soccer…get the puck/ball into the net…nothing like the great American game of baseball or basketball. Now those are a couple of enjoyable sports, let me tell you.

Praying I don't get hit by a puck…or a drunk fan for that matter…

Update: Ok, that hockey game was an absolute blast! I think I've come to the conclusion that I enjoy watching any sport live…(I'm sure you can sleep better knowing that)…even Megan loved it! She laughed every time they got into a fight…go figure…

ND “Snow” Stadium

ND Stadium as of Friday afternoon…could be an interesting game against Syracuse on Saturday!

(picture thanks to Randy Beachy)

Catalyst One Day

I spent the day today with the Pathway staff (Keith, Jason and I) at Granger Community Church for the Catalyst One Day event. Wow…worth every penny it cost and every minute given…Andy Stanley and Craig Groeschel did an amazing job of leading us through the thought processes of how to lead the local church to stay on mission.

I'd be glad to share a few of my notes with you from the day, but:

1) I started at 6:50am this morning, and I'm just now settling in at the house (10:22pm). (Had my pastors' small group immediately following the day at GCC)

2) Like a bloomin' idiot, I somehow managed to lose my notes…from every session…I must have left them laying in my seat or something…ugh…I can steal Jason or Keith's, but it just won't be the same…their notes aren't as anointed as mine…(that's a joke)…

Was really encouraged though when Craig Groeschel said they have seen around 2000 people come to Jesus over the past 10 weeks through the multi-site/multi-campus church he leads (www.lifechurch.tv). Holy cow…that is just downright amazing and Bible like! God is a big God!

Pathway’s own Loren Miller

How about that…one of Pathway's own, Loren Miller, made the evening news…click the video link under the article title…

http://www.wndu.com/localnews/headlines/34771379.html#

The Last Frozen Cookie

Funny how one small action can spark a memory from yonder year. Tonight, it was sneaking one of Megan's extra cookies she placed in the freezer.

Growing up, my mom would often make several dozen cookies at a time and freeze the extra's in the freezer. Now, I never once complained about this method of cookie making…on the contrary, I absolutely loved it! Just when you thought you had eaten the last cookie, there in the freezer was another delightful piece of my mom's best handy work.

The challenge came just a few days after my parents went to be with Jesus, back in 1990. The cookies on the counter ran out, and now all that was left, ever, was in the freezer. I remember the discussion with my sister Julie – who would get to eat the last of mom's cookies? What a challenging dilemma…

I really don't remember who ended up eating the last one, me or Julie, but I'd give anything to have another one. I miss my mom at times like these…(and her cookies)…

Cleaning Supplies and Pass It Forward

2 things for the Pathway radar:

1.       Don’t forget to bring in your cleaning supplies for the Family Empowerment Cleaning Supply Drive that we’re taking on through our Life Groups.  Bring it on!

2.       Another opportunity was just brought to me from Crystal Valley Missionary Church.  They are going to sponsor what they are calling a Pass It Forward event.  It will involve a FREE garage sale setup inside their building on the weekend of December 11-13 (first few days by invitation, later on will be open to the public).  All they need are your gently used items!  I know we have a lot going on already in the area of outreach, but if you would like to take part, here's a list of items needed...

Download clothing_needs_list.pdf

100,000 miles folks

This past week, I turned 100,000 rounds on the '98 Jeep Cherokee.

Can we do a little informal survey here…I want to know who's out there in Good Stuff blog land, driving a car with over 100,000 miles on it, and are proud of it?

Post a brief comment of the make/model/mileage…I dare you…

Flat tire blues

You can't tell from the picture, but this tire was punctured by a nail. We were out and about (on a frantic search for snow pants and snow boots for my kids) last night…glad the thing didn't go flat until we got home.

Now, I was no Bo and Luke Duke here, but I did get er' switched out pretty quickly if I do say so myself.    

Glorious Day

This past Sunday the Pathway worship team introduced the new to us song "Glorious Day." You can listen to it by Jeff Johnson here…or Todd Agnew here…

Great song…

Encourage One Another Daily

I fully admit that being an encourager is not my greatest gift. I'm more of a grin and bear it, and let's just keep going type of a guy. Yah, life stinks sometimes, let's just keep moving.

I remember one time in college when there were 2 car loads of us going to this house, off campus. One of the other cars was involved in a bit of a fender bender. The gal who was driving came in crying and very distraught. Like an idiot, I spoke up and mentioned how it was all going to be ok, and let's get on with things here (after all there were games to be played and food to be eaten). One of the other students turned to me, and said out loud, "we are all moved by your concern here Scott." In other words, "you are being a bit of a dork here…would you just have a little compassion?"

God has called me, and you, to be encouragers. I must spend time encouraging Megan, my girls, those I work with/minister with, and any others who I come in contact with.

God has called each of us to encourage each other daily! Hebrews 3 says encouragement from others actually keeps us from sin! How about that…the next time I find myself slipping up somewhere, it might really be your fault. Thanks a lot! Sounds good, doesn't it? Hah!

Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Zeal for the House

David says in Psalms 69:9 "for zeal for your house consumes me…" This verse is amazing!

I spent time talking today with the Leadership Team about the absolute necessity of the house, or what we call the local church. Think about it…without the corporate anointing of the local church, there is no way to live out the Great Commandment or the Great Commission. You CANNOT accomplish the Great Commandment and the Great Commission to its fullest extent without the local church.

I was preparing my notes for today's session the other day, and I wrote down (really, I typed out) the thought that the local church is God's method to reach a community. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the local church IS NOT a method. Methods change, principles never change. The local church is the principle, how we do local church could and should change (the methods we use), but the principle that God uses the local church as His main way of reaching and building lives will never change!

I could say a load of other stuff about this (and probably will in a message series), but I want to challenge your thinking on the house, the local church.

Psalms 92:12 ¹²    The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; Planted in the House of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.

Saturday Morning

It's been a great couple of days spent with the staff and Leadership Team here at Pathway. As I write this, I'm going over my notes for today's "vision" sessions with them. We're talking about where I see the Lord taking us as a church over the next year, as well as the next 5 years. Really excited to take on the morning!

Crazy Week

This has been a crazy week…looking forward to the weekend though as Megan and I will be hanging out with the staff and Leadership Team for our yearly Leadership Retreat!

Looking forward to my friend Adam Loughrey bringing the Word on Sunday…

That's it for now…

Serve Here, Serve There

Here is the question we ought to ask the people we meet: How can I serve you? I cannot save anyone. But I can serve everyone! And when we serve people, people get saved. – Author/Pastor Mark Batterson

It's more than a catchy slogan, it's a lifestyle. I will serve in my local church (Serve Here), God's hope for a dying world! I will serve in the community (Serve There), God's call for the church!

Go in the strength you have…

I ran across some thoughts I've used before concerning working/living/ministering out of your strengths. I thought of them again as I talked about how God said to Gideon "Go in the strength you have…" (Judges 6:14)…think on it…

Strengths: Consistent near perfect performance in an activity.

3 of the most important principles of living a strong life:

1) For an activity to be a strength, you must be able to do it consistently.

2) You do not have to have strength in every aspect of your role in order to excel.

3) You will excel only by maximizing your strengths, never by fixing your weaknesses.

(Taken from Now, Discover Your Strengths – Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton)

Do you agree?

Georgia Bulldogs Football Coach

Wow...take a couple of minutes to watch how the Lord used Mark Richt (Georgia Bulldogs FB Coach) and his wife to change 2 lives!

Thanks to Jeff Leake for the heads up...

The Shack

I've been so busy the past two weeks, I've had a hard time disconnecting and relaxing! Usually that means I need to dive into a good biography or something…something to get my mind off of everyday things.

How about some fiction…Anyone else reading The Shack by William P. Young? (Why do people include their middle initials when they get famous?...I used to include my middle initial, D, on everything I did in memory of my father – David…don't do it much anymore for some reason) I've had the book for months (The Shack), but just now picked it up.

Just read the first 2 chapters. Apparently, something horrible is getting ready to happen to Missy. If you've read it, what do you think of it? Complete nonsense, and heretical? Or, wow, the most powerful thing I've read in a while? (I've heard both of these reactions from friends)

10 Ways to Pray for Barack Obama

Great post from Lee Grady…short version…

Whether you voted for Obama or not, you need to pray for him. Here are 10 ways I plan to intercede for him regularly:

1. Pray for Obama's protection. We already know that some weird, neo-Nazi fanatics in Tennessee plotted to kill Sen. Obama during his campaign. Let's pray that racist hatred is not allowed to spread. Let's cancel every assassin's bullet in the name of Jesus. May civility triumph over bigotry.

2. Cover his wife and daughters in prayer. It is not easy to live under constant media scrutiny. Pray for Obama's wife, Michelle, and their two daughters, Malia and Natasha, as they face invasive cameras, nosy reporters, maniacal fans and dangerous enemies. Obama is not only a politician but also a husband and a father. 

3. Pray that Obama will govern with God's wisdom. God rewarded Solomon because he asked for wisdom instead of wealth, long life or vengeance on his enemies (see 1 Kings 3:11-12). Pray that Obama will order his priorities like that. Despite Solomon's tragic character flaws, his legacy was wisdom. We can ask God to give our president the same grace.

4. Ask God to keep our president humble. Many great American leaders became corrupt after they moved to Washington. The fatal attraction of fame, wealth and power proved irresistible. The only thing that will guard a man or woman from this pitfall is humility. May God deliver President Obama from the curse of pride.

5. Pray for wise and righteous advisers to surround him. Godly leaders cannot do their job alone. Even the best leaders have failed because they trusted the wrong people. Pray that Obama will not select his counselors based on party, race, pedigree or political cronyism but on godly character and proven wisdom. Pray also that he will not allow secret traitors into his inner circle.

6. Ask for the spirit of reconciliation. Some segments of our deeply divided society want nothing to do with Obama now that he has won the presidency. Even some Christians will be tempted to harbor resentment and nurse political grudges throughout his term in office. Pray that God will grant forgiveness and healing so that leaders on all political levels can have constructive dialogue.

7. Pray that Obama will adopt pro-life convictions. Many politicians have changed their views on key issues while in office. In the 1800s some leaders who favored slavery later denounced it. In the 1950s some who opposed racial integration later became champions of it. Even though Obama won approval from many voters because he sanctions abortion, God could soften and change his heart.

8. Bind all evil forces assigned to manipulate our president. The specter of Islamic terrorism looms over the United States, and dark forces are ready to infiltrate. Our only hope lies in prayer to the God who is able to expose and outwit the schemes of the wicked. This is truly a time for spiritual warfare, and intercessors must not come off the wall in this hour! Pray that no foreign government, terrorist organization or demonic principality will use Obama as a tool. We must stand strong against the spirit of antichrist that promotes dictatorship, persecution of Christians and hostility toward Israel.

9. Pray that Obama's door will remain open to the church. The loudest voices of secular culture—from Bill Maher in Hollywood to atheists in academia—would be happy if religion were removed from public life. Pray that Obama, who claims to have a personal faith in Jesus Christ, will unapologetically welcome Christian leaders into his company and seek their counsel. And pray that false religious leaders (who claim to know Christ but deny His power) will not have his ear.

10. Pray that our nation will enjoy God's peace and blessing during the Obama administration. The apostle Paul instructed early believers to pray for all in authority "so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity" (1 Tim. 2:2, NASB). God's will is for America to experience peace and prosperity so that we can continue to export the gospel to the nations. This must happen whether a Democrat or a Republican is in the White House. As we cry out for God's mercy on our wayward nation, pray that He will allow us to be a light to the world as we finance global missions, feed and heal the world's poor and share Christ's love at home and abroad.

J. Lee Grady is editor of Charisma.

To Rake, or not to Rake

To Rake, or not to Rake…that is the question. Given my back yard, you've really got to use wisdom at this. If you time it just right, with the strong winter winds, half the leaves will fly into my neighbor's yards by the time I rake (blessing them with the opportunity to play in more leaves). If you wait too long though, you get stuck with wet leaves that are harder to rake (blessing me with the opportunity to shed more calories).

Now, I also have to play in the fact that the dog has been making deposits all over my back yard. Not sure if the girls will be playing in the leaves as much this year…

Stepping into your Destiny

I've been studying all day for the second half of my message on Faith, using the life of Gideon (Judges 6-7). Do you realize it wasn't until Gideon stepped out in faith that the Lord moved him into his Destiny? The Lord used Gideon to take down the enemy's of Israel, and then caused 40 years of peace! Almost a whole generation changed simply b/c one man took one step of faith…and then God brought him into his destiny!

What about you? Could it be that the biggest step of faith you are facing right now…that step you know is God, but you are teetering on, is the very thing that will bring you into your God ordained destiny? The new season of life you've been longing for is only one step of faith away?

That will make you want to slap somebody…I feel the preacher coming on me…everybody say yah, "yyyyaaaahhhhhhh"…everybody say uh-huh, "uuuuhhhh-hhhhhuuuuhhh"…(I'm probably the only preacher in the world who has visions of a choir suddenly jumping out behind him, shouting him down, as he's working on his notes for Sunday…hah!)

More on Sunday…

Word for today

This morning, I met with a group of pastor from Middlebury for our Ministerial Association mtng thing. Anyhow, Rich Troyer, from Middlebury Church of the Brethren, read Psalm 46. Would you take one minute to read it through? I think you'll be glad you did…

 1 God is our refuge and strength,
       an ever-present help in trouble.

 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
       and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

 3 though its waters roar and foam
       and the mountains quake with their surging.
       Selah

 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
       the holy place where the Most High dwells.

 5 God is within her, she will not fall;
       God will help her at break of day.

 6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
       he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

 7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
       the God of Jacob is our fortress.
       Selah

 8 Come and see the works of the LORD,
       the desolations he has brought on the earth.

 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
       he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
       he burns the shields ^[b] with fire.

 10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
       I will be exalted among the nations,
       I will be exalted in the earth."

 11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
       the God of Jacob is our fortress.
       Selah

Hanging Chads

Short of any hanging chads, this election will be decided in just a few hours! How about that…

For what it's worth, the gal I spoke with at my polling place in Middlebury said it's more than double the turn out they've had in the past. I wonder if that will benefit McCain or Obama?

We've prayed, we've voted, now we rest in Him…right? (Why am I struggling with resting in the Lord if a certain candidate gets elected???)

The picture above was from the 2000 election fiasco with Gore and Bush…

    

Go Home Jesus

Did you hear about this kid who got sent home from school for dressing up like Jesus for Halloween? 

Thanks to Paul Grabill for the heads up...

Daisy the dog has arrived

After a failed attempt with a Beagle a year ago (which ended with the return of said Beagle to it's original owner – my brother in law Chad), we have taken on the task of yet another puppy. So far today, I have taken the puppy out to do its business 7 times, it's pee'd once on the floor, and barfed once…this all before noon!

What a joy…really…about as joyful as pulling my toe-nails out. To think we paid money for this privilege.

Here's a pic of Daisy (as in Disney's Daisy Duck) the Golden Retriever dog…

Saturday Inspiration

A good Saturday morning to you…

You know, I've worked on this Sunday's message all week (got an early start on it on Monday). By the time Thursday night rolled around, I had 2 different messages, with ready to preach outlines, but didn't feel any "inspiration" on either one!

It's like I go through seasons that are like this. Sometimes I have a message/series that I struggle very little over…but then I have messages like this weeks that seem to never fully come together…at least…until Saturday. I don't understand the Saturday thing, but when I'm having an off week, it always seems like God helps me nail a message down come Saturday. Typically this happens by Saturday morning…sometimes not until the final "run through" on Saturday night (which makes for a stressful weekend).

I know pastors who have their message nailed down by Tuesday every week! I am trying, but for some reason, my fly by the seat of my pants way of doing things affects my sermon prep as well! Oh, I'm working/praying all week, but there are times when everything doesn't come together until Saturday (like this morning).

We'll see how well it came together tomorrow morning!