Mixed feelings...

So tomorrow is a huge day in the life of our student ministry.  We leave for BIG STUF @ 5:00 AM.  Exciting, I know.

I love this camp.  They do an amazing job on preparing students to hear from God.  They set the stage for it (literally).  Each year they do something amazing on the stage and open up in a huge way.  I know this year will be no different.

This is the first year I will be going to camp without my wife (sad whimper goes here).  She and the kids are having an amazing time in Oklahoma right now.  They are on their way to see family and had an opportunity to stop and see one of Amy's high school friends.  I'm excited they have this opportunity... but I already miss them.

Can't wait for Big Stuf... not excited about the wake up time!

Pray for us and my family.

See ya on the flip side!

I can see you... in HD now!

We were in staff meeting this morning... I love staff meetings... no really I do!  We get to hear what each ministry is doing and how God is moving and blowing us away with the methods in which he does it. 

So any way, there we were talking, and a knock comes at the door, I'm told the AVT contractors need to see me.  These guys are in the middle of installing our new equipment and I had fears running through my head of what the issue could be. 

But the only issue they had was ... where do you want us to put your new HD cameras.  I bout nearly wet myself, I was so excited.  These guys set one up in my office for us to mess around

 with... holy cow I was zooming in on stuff all day long.  I loved it.

These things come equipped with everything!  If you don't run camera's at FCC you will want to now.  These toys are so cool.

But it reminds me God has done it without these things, and doesn't need them.  He is moving in the hearts of people and we should never think that we have arrived or need another computer or better camera to get his message across.  He just wants to use us.  (I know coming from a tech guy that is hard to swallow... just don't tell my executive pastor i wrote this) So grab the handles -  pan, tilt, zoom in and find where you can be used by God... he's given you the tools you need... you've had them all along.

But toys don't hurt!

And Down it goes...

Today was a great day.

We finished our church league softball tournament today.  I love playing sports... we were out there all day.  My kids got NASTY dirty... they loved it too!

Upon coming home we made them strip down and jump right into baths and showers.  While there I was reminded that one of the toilets in our house does not work.  It just happens to be the one in the master bathroom, which makes for an unhappy wife.

Our worship pastor used to be an plumber, and my intentions were to ask him to come and fix it. When I finally remembered to ask him... he said he just didn't have time to do it before they left town... but would talk me through the process.... 

Drawing me diagrams, talking about taking tanks off... holy cow I didn't know what I was getting into.  I don't mind trying new stuff and fixing stuff around the house, but admittedly I am more tech savvy than I am mechanical... 

BUT I DID IT! - It flushes and everything!   I CAN USE THE BATHROOM NOW!

I now... exciting isn't it.  Sometimes we just don't think we're the right person for the job, we expect someone else to step in and do it.  I'm not the best, the right fit, the look, the....  But God gives us everything we need for life and godliness.... try something new today... get your hands dirty, serve, be apart of team.  YOU CAN DO IT.

Ring, Ring...

So my 10th anniversary is coming up, my wife's birthday is coming very soon and she is leaving for Texas next week.  So hmmm what does she need before she leaves.

Well... I will say that my wife has been on this kick to lose weight as well.  She has now lost 30 lbs, and I'm super excited for her.  So like me she now has the problem that her jewelry does not fit, including her wedding band.

I was planning on getting her a ring for our 10th anniversary - so we've been looking at them (casually).  Tonight was a date night for us... it started with dinner and ended with a softball tournament (I know, how romantic).  

but in the middle we stopped in a jewelry store that was closing and started to look around. And there it was the ring she wanted... so when you see her - feel free to comment on the nice ring on her finger... for it will probably be another 10 years for this to happen again!

"It Is Finished"

Last night was my last night to teach the students as their student pastor.  I concluded my ministry here with a series called "2".  

It was the 2 most important things they needed to know.  I've always said that we're packing their bags... for one day they will leave and be on their own, out of the student ministry to do life.  So we're packing their bags and preparing them to do life on their own.

I decided to end it with the top 2 things to pack in their bags.  When I began to think about what that was, I was drawn to Matthew 22:33-39.  Here Jesus lays out the top two things to pack in your bags.   This isn't just for students, or for you... it was for me.

#1 Love God... with all of me

#2 Love People... with all of him

I hope that I've made a lasting impact on the lives of the students here, and I will continually pray for them that God will continue to bless the ministry here and change their lives.

Thank you God for allowing me an awesome opportunity  - you've truly changed my life through serving.

New things in life today

So I like trying new things... I'm not opposed to it.  Now there are some things that are not worth trying (you do have to be wise about this), but there are some things that are worth it.

Today I had a French Vanilla Slush at the Quickstop around the corner!

Oh my goodness it is Good Grab one of these today!

Ok... I also did something new today... I am now an AT&T user.  I have made the switch.

I'm setting myself up for an iphone 3G.  I just have to convince my wife it's what we NEED!

Try something new today!

What did you just say?

I love being around kids.  Maybe that's why I've enjoyed student ministry for the past 12 years.  I get to hear what they say and get blown away by what God teaches them, often in spite of me.  

I love going to BIG STUF camp and hearing how God is working on their life....

but best of all...

I love hearing what my kids say....

Last night my 2 yr old was sitting in the chair in my bedroom... while she should have been sleeping.  And just when I'm about to get on to her for not being in bed... she looks up at me with those big eyes and says "I wuv you, daddy!" - ok stay up all night, take the car,  do you need a credit card.... wow I love that.

My other daughter just as sweet... but bluntly honest. I was laying on the floor and she came over and put her hand on my stomach..."daddy, you have a big belly" - I guess she didn't read my blog about how much weight I've lost.  But she is all girl.  This morning before leaving the car, she had to take out her make-up case (fake) and put on make-up before getting out.  Guys wanting to date this girl will have their hands full.

My son can always blow me away with his thoughts and knowledge... This morning on the way to a VBS in our community he was quoting his memory verse over and over and over 

again

... cause he just didn't want not to know it.  My wife told me that when she picked him up he was brought out to the car by his teacher.  She asked if Stephen had already attended a VBS like this one.  Amy told her no...and she proceeded to tell her how amazed she was that he knew all the answers, and how deep his thought process was on all the questions they had asked.

He's a thinker, like his dad - maybe a pastor someday... that's between him and God!

I love my kids and learn from them daily.

Thanks God for blessing my life with my kids.

I Love My Wife

Went to a memorial service today.

It was one of those happy sad moments.

Before the service began, I had an opportunity to speak to the husband of the one that had just passed.  He said to me that he wanted me to make sure that I hugged my wife every moment of every day.

I could see the love and the loss in his eyes.

I love my wife!  I have not always lived it out the way that she deserved.... I have not always served here the way that love demands... and I have not always loved her the way that God has loved me and called me to give myself up for her.

But I love my wife.  She is the greatest part of my life here on earth.  God has to be #1 and she will always be #2.   I know what it means that the two shall become one... for I could never imagine life without her.

Thank you God for giving me the most awesome gift of life through your son... and blessing this life with the greatest part of me my wife.

I love my wife and will hug her as soon as I can.

Con"GRAD"ulations

I forgot to mention that I went to graduation this weekend. Congrats to all those who walked the stage and have finished this phase of life... I really hope your bags are packed for the road ahead.

Now normally Graduation is nothing to write home about... I mean I love the kids and I'm excited for them... but the hours of watching kids I don't know cross the stage really doesn't get me going.

But this year... we had a moment!

That's right a moment of relief and laughter... and no I'm not being mean... you have to know the kid -


Thanks for the laughter!

Congrats to all the Grads it been a great experience

Hidden Talent in the booth

So I've had a student running sound for us for the last two years in our student ministry.  He was a little slow getting connected, but has become a huge part of our ministry and tech team.  He is now serving in our main services as our Assistant Sound tech in our booth.

It's always been one of those things that has been evident to me... but not always easy to pull off... I need to do less and let others do more.  One of the things I've had a hard time letting go of ... and finding someone that could not just fill in but lead out in... was leading worship for the students.  

I didn't want to always be on stage... singing, doing announcements,and then teaching.  I've tried to find those to help take over some of these areas.  We've had a few come through that have tried it out... some stick... some don't.  But I've always taught and sang...

Last Tues. I couldn't be at band practice, the guy that was going to sing, couldn't... so the band was going to practice without a singer.... Wouldn't you know it... the guy in the booth, that has been behind the scenes for two years now, came out and practiced with the band.

I get a phone call... Can I sing? - I don't know... can you?

I told him I would have to hear him, and see how he did at leading from the stage before I would OK the move.... and WARREN did an amazing job...  he came out of the booth and took the stage and really led in worship.

Thanks Warren for doing a great job... the position is now yours!

Just reminds me that God has people with gifts and talents we just need to give them an opportunity to grow and shine!

BIG STUF

Ok... so we're less than three weeks away from leaving for Big Stuf!

Can you believe it... I can't.

Usually we go later in the summer, and going early on has me kinda messed up, things are coming much quicker than I really can handle it.  AHHHH!

I hope ya'll are ready to go.  Get your cloth

es washed, swim suit picked out, bags packed cause the bus is leaving on June 29th @ 5 am...  

This is going to be awesome... I got a sneak peek at the opening of Big Stuf  and it's going to be amazing!   I love this STUF!

Now I've really lost it!

Ok... so everyone around here has been asking me... Scott are you losing weight? or Scott how are you doing it?  like there is some magic pill that I've been hoarding to myself. 

Ok... here is the answer... yes I've lost weight.  About 65 lbs. now.   How have I done it... lets see.

I get up every morning and go to the gym for about an hour and lift and run.  I was playing basketball three times a week @ 5:45 am (which I plan on doing again now that it is summer and the kids don't have to go anywhere).  I stopped eating excessive amount of food, cut out all sugar drinks, and don't eat late at night.  It took about 8 months for anyone to really notice I was losing weight.... so there is  no magic or quick way to do it... you just have to sweat and get it done.

But this blog is not about me losing weight... I've lost something else... 

because of the weight coming off... my fingers have gotten smaller and so... my rings don't fit so well anymore.

I've lost my wedding ring 3 times!

Once at a basketball game - Amy and I had just mentioned needing to get our rings resized cause they were fitting loosely.  And five minutes later I was searching the basketball court for my ring.  I found it near an exit door.. wheww that was a close one.

#2 I was getting the girls dressed after their bath and noticed my ring was missing yet again.  I felt confident it was still in the bath tub... and it was... wheww  still got it.

#3 We took the family to the lake.  We were just swimming near the shore.  Again I had just mentioned to Amy the need to take my rings off... because they were a little loose.  My youngest daughter was on the shore crying for her daddy to come and get her... and then it happened.  As i paddled my way in I felt it go... my ring... slipping off my finger into the brown abyss which is the shoreline of lake Keowee.   My ring - gone for good.

It has been weird without a ring... I don't like it.   I have to get a new one!   This is driving me nuts.

I really hate losing stuff!

I Love Free Money

Ok... so maybe I should say unexpected money.  Cause I guess it's not really free.  Although those unexpected Birthday checks are always nice.

Anyway...

Have you gotten your stimulus check yet?  I haven't! -  I got an envelope from the IRS the other day and I thought finally it's here!  but nope... just telling me it was on it's way.  I've been waiting for this check.  Not because I need the money... just the security of having it.   Somehow there was some mix-up with the Govt.  I know hard to believe right.  We signed up for the direct deposit method... and were expecting this check over a month ago.  We actually planned a "get away" because the check was coming... and then it didn't come.  It was a huge bummer!

But today... I got a refund on some insurance that i didn't realize was coming... a blessing! It wasn't much... but when it comes and you're not expecting it... that is when you can smile and say.... Let's go out to diner!

I love it when you get an unexpected gift, surprise, encouraging word... it just makes my day.

Maybe you could be that or do that for someone today... see if it doesn't come back around to you.

and hopefully my stimulus check will be here soon!

School is almost out

Can you believe it... another year almost wrapped up.  Two more days of School and then it's all over with... then summer begins.

My son has been on a countdown for the last 3 weeks, he can hardly stand it.  You'd think he was graduating and moving out or something... but he's just in Kindergarten.   Oh well only 11 more years of that with him.

I'm stoked about the summer... Big Stuf will be here sooner than we know it... and that just excites me.  

I get to do something this weekend that I don't get a chance to do very often, but I love to do it every time I get an opportunity.  I'm preaching in the main services.  It's on a topic that just makes my heart explode.  Worship.

What a way to kick off the summer.... so kick back... finish strong... and let's enjoy the heat!