Scott Miller Blog :: Good Stuff

Getting old…

Yesterday, our 5 year old lost her first tooth (more like, her mom yanked it out of her mouth…but it was hanging by a thread). Our now 10 year old got her ears pierced (we saved this event for a "coming of age" type of thing once she turned 10).

There's a mixture of excitement and that feeling in your gut that says, "I'm getting old!" (and so are my kids!)

There's also questions that continue to roll around in my head…am I doing everything I can to prepare them to succeed in life. Prepare them to excel in whatever God gifted area they choose to move forward in. Am I living a good church life, or the life of a guy who is following a revolutionary leader/God named Jesus Christ. Do they see this? Do we talk about our faith enough at home? Not just live it, but talk about it.

Thinking about this…

365 Baptism

This video was put together with footage from our baptism night at Pathway's 365 Student Ministries a couple of Months ago.  What a great night...

A Pair of Dockers

Megan and I had just moved back to Middlebury to start a church. Part of the deal in following God's plan is that you sell out to his provision. Some people never make it to God's perfect plan simply b/c they are too hung up on things, or their pursuit of things. They forget the old, maybe overused phrase, "where God guides, He provides."

One day, God made this crystal clear to Megan and I. I desperately needed, of all things, a couple of pair of pants to wear day to day. I know it seems odd, but really, much of what was in my wardrobe at that time consisted of things I had from college 8 years ago. It was worn, missing buttons, etc. We had no money for new clothes at that time, so we just submitted it to the Lord. We just trusted God to provide, choosing to see things through eyes of faith.

Little did we know that this was one of the small tests God was taking us through. About a week after just leaving it in God's hands, someone dropped 2 pairs of Docker's (my pant of choice at that time) off at our house. Not a lot of fanfare, just felt like they ought to buy them for me.

It might as well have been a million dollars dropped off at the house…there was a need, we trusted God, and he provided. God is no respecter of people…He'll do the same for you…TRUST HIM!

What I’ve read…Hellfire: The Jerry Lee Lewis Story by Nick Tosches

About 6 years ago, I was at a conference sponsored by Granger Community Church, and their Sr. Pastor Mark Beeson, said something that I still remember today. Speaking to a room full of pastors, he said, "get a stranglehold on what renews you!" Meaning, find something, anything, that will refill your emotional tank (b/c you will be drained by ministry).

One thing that I've found that renews me is a good biography. It doesn't even need to be a great biography, just a good one. I am interested in not only the public persona, but the back story. What made them the person they are?

Though I have never been a fan of Jerry Lee Lewis, I've been intrigued by his life for a while now. Partially b/c of the fact that both his cousin's Jimmy Lee Swaggart and Mickey Gilley, as well as himself, grew up in an A/G church like I did.

It's not a bad book…rather interesting…but more importantly, it's my diversion…it's getting my mind off of the everyday, and onto something else. What emotionally renews you? Have you pinpointed it yet? What are you waiting for?

Missions...Maybe Later

Opportunity...that's what we are looking at right now when it comes to giving towards home and foreign missions.  This past Sunday, we had a huge chunk of our church take a step of faith, and commit to give to reach the world for Christ.  Would you join them this Sunday? 

Or...maybe later?

Measure of Spiritual Maturity

I've been reading Jim Cymbala's new book, You Were Made For More, off and on for the past few months. I just read a quote I've got to share…

The only measure of our vertical relationship with God is the loving quality of our horizontal relationship with others.

Do you agree? Good stuff…

Do something, anything…

Can I encourage you again with this thought…Faith is not always standing still! Sometimes, it may be…but I'm convinced more times, God is waiting for us to make a move. We're busy standing around, saying we're just 'waiting on the Lord,' and the Lord's saying "I'm here, just start moving…I'll lead you, just do something, anything…but I can't move in you/through you until you start moving!"

It's like an airplane...the crew can be strapped in, the wings ready, the rudder ready, all trays and seats in an upright position, but if there is no forward thrust, you are going nowhere!

For eight years now, we've talked about starting a new campus/church. We've been standing around (or maybe I should say I've been standing around) "waiting on the Lord," and God's been saying "do something, anything!" Here we go!

Just step out, and trust that if you step a little out of the will of God, the Holy Spirit will bring you back in!

Great Day

Thoughts on the day:

• Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…I love the snow!
• We had a great day of services at Pathway today…finished up our Give me your eyes series…eyes of faith…
• The annual business mtng following 2^nd service went off without a hitch…we "installed" two new Elders that will serve the pastor and God's vision of the house very well.
• Megan's meatloaf, baked potatoes, and green beans were divine for lunch…and my meatloaf and cheese sandwich, on toasted bread, smothered in ketchup, made for a delightful 7pm snack…
• Had a restful nap this afternoon once I got home…

Things heard while people watching

Most odd thing heard while strolling as a family through the mall this evening:

Young 20 something gal to other young 20 something gal - "Girl, I thought you were still in Jail!"

Second most odd thing heard while strolling as a family through the mall this evening:

Young 20 something gal responding to other young 20 something gal - "I was, I just got out today!"

Huh…the things you hear at the mall…

Pathway’s Wes Gorsuch in the news

Check out this article about Goshen Health Systems (aka the hospital in Goshen), including video and a quote from Pathway's Wes Gorsuch! Wes oozes a servant's heart…good stuff!

Direct video link here…

Gnawing in my heart

For a couple of days now, I've had this gnawing feeling going on inside my heart (for a lack of a better location, I'll say it's in my heart). It's this feeling I get from time to time when I feel I'm settling. Or when I feel the church is settling. It's not that anything is glaringly wrong, b/c really, things are going great! I think there's a healthy gnawing at your heart that ought to happen from time to time though.

The Kingdom of God is about more than keeping the lights on at the church. It's about more than opening song, welcome, greeting, worship, announcements, offering, preaching, altar call, and leaving, all while sipping coffee. I'm not saying I don't like these things, but that's not IT in itself! Without the anointing, and touch of the Holy Spirit on the worship time, worship is empty. Without His touch on the preaching, it's mere words. Without you and I, seriously taking the message from Scripture shared on that day, and living it out on Monday, we're just punching in with our Christian time card, appeasing our need to feel religious.

Jesus said in Luke 4, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. That's where I want to be…I don't want to settle! I want to live in the realm that Jesus talks about in John 14:12, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Let's press through the routine church…let's go past tradition…never settle…allow God to do something fresh in you this week!

32 minute message

Just wanted the world to know that I preached a 32 minute message this past Sunday in second service…that may very well be a record short message for me. (interesting how the same message took me 39 minutes in 1^st service, but that was including the intro video which was cut from second service)

How about that…

Feed the Children @ Pathway

Just got a call from the Feed the Children people…check this out, they are going to blast all of Elkhart County with 15 food distribution sites on Tuesday, March 10^th. They asked if Pathway could be one of the Middlebury distribution sites (along with Crystal Valley Missionary)…uh…let me think about that…Feed the Children is willing to bring the food to us for free…all we have to do is supply people who are willing to serve like Jesus in packing the food up at the Elkhart site, and then distributing it the day of? YES, YES, ABSOLUTEY YES!

It's a God thing…

UUUUgggghhhhhhhhh...

That pretty much sums up my life since 2 great Sunday services this past Sunday morning…I’ve been in bed or on the couch, sneezing and blowing my nose for 2 straight days now.  Kleenex stock has actually risen in the past 2 days b/c of me (not b/c of the stimulus thing). 

And apparently Daisy the dog has decided that she ought to be in on this sickness as well…she has thrown up twice in the past day.  Of course, most of it was not on the 75% of our main floor that is hard floor, but on our YELLOW living room rug thing.  How about that.  (and yes, even in my sickness, I was declared the official cleaner upper after any Dog mess) 

Here's a shot of my new theme song...

Let the Word Grip You

And now for a thought from nowhere…that possibly could lead somewhere. Megan brought this up the other day, and I can't stop thinking about it…concerning each one of us having a daily time in the Word, or a "personal devotion" time.

Our country has not always been as literate as it is today…meaning, you don't have to go too far back to a time when a good chunk of our own country couldn't even read! (I mean, I know Pa Ingles and the family could read, but that could be b/c Ma Ingles was a school teacher…at least in a couple of the episodes)

Here's the question - how did the believers of this day do their "personal devotion" time? How did they "spend time in the Word", if they couldn't read!? I guess this all got started with the seemingly booming idea of an accountability SOAP blog (a blog I created and invited a group of about 13 guys to work through the book of Mark with me on…Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer), which seems to have been maybe 25% successful.

Now partially, this lack of "success" can be blamed on the technology of blogging, and the newness of blogging your thoughts for most guys. But, are we missing something bigger here? Does having a "personal devotion" time involve you and your Bible alone? Or are there other methods of personal Bible study? Do we have too narrow of a definition of what "personal devotions" look like?

(I know the answer I think, but I want to know what you think)

Long, fruitful day

Days like this keep me humble, and pleading with God for wisdom. My day started around 6:45am this morning, and I got home at about 7:15pm. It was like the whole day was spent pouring into others. Trying to speak wisdom into marriages, businesses, ministries, and ministers. I don't have anything smart to say short of what the Holy Spirit gives me.

The Holy Spirit never ceases to amaze me with how he speaks through us, into the most desperate of situations.

Agenda Alert

 

AGENDA ALERT - yes sir, I do have an agenda with this current series we're in!  What is that agenda?  It's God's agenda!  Ultimately, it's that you and I would do everything we can to accomplish Acts 1:8 - "you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  Our call is to reach Middlebury, Elkhart, Northern Indiana, the U.S., and the World!  We can't get away from it.  If we are Christ followers, this has got to be our passion.  This month can't just be another missions/outreach focused month on the yearly preaching calendar.  We've got to dive in! 
 
This means every person in our church being ready to do whatever needs to be done.  If it means being a greater steward of the Middlebury campus, I'm there.  Not only am I there, but I'm there early, and ready to serve in my area of ministry.  If it means giving up my comfort of the "known," and heading out to the Elkhart campus, I'm there.  Whatever God is asking me to do, whatever is going to help accomplish the vision of the house, I'm there!  I'm not looking for a title or a reward, just here to serve the house. 
 
In a week or two, I'm going to ask you to make a faith promise as to what you feel God can give through you over the next year towards reaching our region, our country, and our world with the Gospel.  I am completely aware of the financial crisis most all of us are in.  But this is the great thing about giving...it's not equal giving, but equal sacrifice!  We all can do something! 
 
Don't stop giving through this season.  Bring the tithe, and then over and above that, give what you can.  There will never be a day in heaven that you will come to me complaining about how often I challenged you to give to God and His work!  Make this a matter of prayer...
 
Giving/going is the obvious, hands down, measure of someone who has God's eyes for others.  Giving of your time, talent, and treasure!  It has to be more than a Christian obligation thing, or a "the pastor said I should, and I know I should" type thing, it's got to be something burned into your heart. 
 
As we continue in this series...as we come together to pray next Wednesday...would you ask God to give you His eyes? 
 
Have a great rest of the week church...

Prayer - Am I missing something?

I had a strange thought come to me today as I spent time in prayer. I guess I wouldn't so much say it was "strange" as much as it was just different (I have this annoying habit of thinking that anything different has got to be strange).

Am I missing something? This was the prayer I felt led to pray today. It wasn't like I had a burning bush experience or anything…but I felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit prodding me to pray this prayer for a few days…Am I missing something? In my busyness…in my laziness…in my whatever-else-ness…am I missing something the Holy Spirit is trying to say to me?

You ever pray this kind of prayer?

Burundi in your undie

Just got back from lunch with Missionaries to Burundi, Brett and Joan Nelson. What great people, with a more than evident call to the country of Burundi…you could say God's given them His eyes for Burundi.

Whenever I read or hear about the country of Burundi, I can't help but to think of my Southern Hemisphere Geography class, with teacher John Weaver, at Northridge High School. A classmate and I made up little sayings and songs to try to help memorize the different countries. If you mispronounce Burundi, it sounds a bit like undies, which made a great rhyme that I still remember. It was a bit sophomoric, but it worked!

Scotts Simple Bailout Timeline

Scotts Simple Bailout Timeline:

Months ago – Banks say, "Bail us out, bail us out!"

Today – President Obama says, "We need to limit executive pay for those bailed out banks!"

Tomorrow – Banks say, "Run away…Run away…"

Video - I love Jesus, But I drink a little

Ok...I'm not trying to fill the blog with video's, but this is absolutely hilarious (even though I'm not a big fan of Ellen)...

Thanks to MMI for the video...

Tithing gets a bad Rap

Thinking about getting this rap together for Jason, Keith, and I to do soon...

Thanks MMI for the idea...

What I’ve read…Johnny Cash: The Life of an American Icon by Stephen Miller

Enjoyed this book a load better than what I thought I would. I think it may have turned me into a Johnny Cash fan.

Jason Brooks shared a message a week or two ago at Pathway about Staying in the Battle. Johnny Cash fought the battle until the day he died! The battle of a spiritual man who wanted to please God always, and a carnal man that wanted to "fulfill the lust of the flesh." At times, his spirit man won…at other times, his flesh won.

Really challenged my way of thinking about God's grace. You absolutely cannot take advantage of God's grace (I'll sin now b/c God will always forgive me). But I think there is security in God's grace (I don't lose my salvation at the drop of a hat…though I wouldn't go as far as eternal security).

He was an amazing man, with amazing God given talent, who was saved by an amazing Jesus!

Latest and Greatest Idea

The family and I each enjoyed one of these delightful little jewels this evening. Notice they are little ice cream containers, that fit in your hand (even come with their own spoon). I had never experienced one of these until now! Not only Haagen Dazs, but Ben and Jerry's (cookie dough Ben and Jerry's is my favorite). 220 calories, only $1 each (per ice cream, not per calorie)!

Maybe I should think about being a hand model? What do you think?

100,000 miles, Take 2

As if you care…last night, on my way back from picking up some boneless chicken wings from Buffalo Wild Wings (half hot, half medium), our 2005 Chevy Venture turned over 100,000 miles! How about that…

You may remember the celebration last November when the Jeep turned over 100,000.

There's a feeling I get, deep inside my guts, when a car I own turns over 100k. I suppose it's the same feeling a cat gets on its 8^th of 9 lives.

So glad you are here to share the moment with me…

What I’m Reading…Peace to War by Paul Alexander…Part 2

Okay…if you haven't read my previous post upon starting this book, you can read it here. I've finished the book. Various thoughts after reading it:

• The author does a pretty thorough job of laying out the early peace stance of the Assemblies of God. Seems to blame the change (from peace, to following our own convictions) on our desire to be a part of the larger context of the evangelical church.
• Maybe I'm just missing something here, but the overall feel I get from the book is that we need to build our conflict resolution completely on Jesus' command to turn the other cheek. This brings us to the question of whether there ever is a time to take up arms?
• I think the author portrays the US as an evil nation, who's main goal is to expand ourselves economically and militarily (p. 348). This is perhaps one of my biggest beefs with my friends, and fellow followers of Jesus, in the peace ranks…let me state the question…IS IT POSSIBLE TO LOVE YOUR IMPERFECT, BUT YET OVERALL GREAT, COUNTRY AND STILL BE FOR PEACE? I know I am probably painting with too wide of a paint brush here, but it seems most who hold a peace stance also hold some sort of "I hate America" (or close to it) stance as well. Anyone who holds to this peace stance, please prove me wrong on this…
• It seems like the author suggests that 9/11 occurred b/c America was reaping what they've sown (p. 348). Of any of the points made in this book, I will go on record as CLEARLY as possible in stating that I think this is…well…(deep breath…relax…) let me leave it at this – it is an incorrect assumption.
• My initial assumption when starting to read the book was that the authors main desire was to bring the A/G back to its peace roots. I think for the most part, that's a true assumption. Though, I think his convictions go much deeper than the A/G, and he would desire all believers to hold to this stance.
• Did it sway my opinion? No. Did it give me more input on the thought process of those who hold to the peace stance? Not really. Let me just ask now – any of you who hold to the "peace stance" (meaning – never taking another person's life), point me to a book/website that would most succinctly lay out the Biblical basis of your peace stance.

FOR THE RECORD – I hate war. I hate the taking of another person's life. I am not pro-war at all…BUT…I do believe there is a time, Biblically, when it is right to take up arms to defend yourself.