Some thoughts . . .

• It's been too long since I've been here.
• Started a new series at FPC yesterday - Making Love Last - pumped about this series - I'm hopeful that it will challenge and inspire many people, whether married, single or dating.
• A few decisions will be made this week that will help FPC have more room and be able to impact more people - very exciting!
• Discover Forest Park was amazing last Sunday evening - over 60 students, with more than 30 partnering with FPC. I look forward to getting to know each new partner.
• I love meeting new people and making new friends!
• Evan (my son) turned 18 last week and will graduate high school this year - how is that possible? Yesterday he was in 5th grade!
• Our Ecuador Discovery Meeting is tonight! 2012 will mark 11 years of God's faithfulness - I love taking new people with us - I love seeing our friends in Ecuador - I love seeing what God is doing around our world.
• I'm halfway through a book titled, God is Red: The secret story of how Christianity survived and flourished in communist China. It is difficult to process the persecution of Christians around our world. I honestly don't how I would respond if I had to face what so many Christians in China have faced. Wow!
• Every Sunday I am proud of the FPC Worship Team. Amber is doing an incredible job of leading our band each week - way to go, Amber!
• Also, Tim Chappell has stepped up and began to lead our students so well. Tim is hungry to learn, has one of the best attitudes and he is teachable - a great combination!
• Myraida has introduced new music and teaching to our kids in Adventure Park - she is learning and growing every week - Proud of Myraida!
• I could go on and on about our staff and volunteers. I am honored and humbled every week to work with such an incredible team of people. I love you!
• I keep hearing many great reports from our Community Groups - my dream is for every person who attends FPC to do life with a group a friends. You can't do life alone!
• Circles are better than rows!
• Love is greater than fear!
• Serving is better than being served!
• Pastor Mendoza (from Ecuador) was with us for a few days last week. I love that man! He is such a humble leader. He loves God with a passion. Pastor Mendoza said that he could sense unity within our church/team - greater than before - he is amazingly perceptive.
• I'm ready for spring!
• I'm ready for the Unleash Conference in Anderson, SC - taking our staff and a bunch of volunteers with us.
• Sometimes I laugh when I hear someone repeat a silly comment/rumor about FPC. I'll have to do a post just on the rumors that float around Elizabeth City - (it would probably take a book, rather than a post).
• Have you ever noticed that most religious people rarely complain when the church excludes people, but only when the church includes people. Why is that? "For God so LOVED THE WORLD . . ." (John 3:16).
• Jesus and His message: radical then . . . radical now. Jesus and His message: the same yesterday, today and forever!
• Love you.

One Day Without Shoes!

What are you doing to impact your community? Will you go one day without shoes to know how the majority of the world's kids live? On Sunday, April 3, we are coming to Forest Park Church without shoes! In return, bring a pair for kids in Ecuador! Watch this video and let me know if you're in! We want to take 500 pairs of shoes with us in July! Help us make it happen.

One Day Without Shoes!

What Do You Need To Change?

"What I do with what I've been given says a lot about who I am and where I'm going."

That's tough to accept isn't it? I know it has been for me. For years, I looked at my money and possessions as being separate from my relationship with God. In other words, as long as I "did my best" to give as "what I could", then God was pleased. Not anymore! I've learned that generosity is one of the greatest indicators of my spiritual health. Now, that doesn't mean that if I'm generous, I'm spiritually healthy. It does mean, however, that if I'm spiritually healthy, I will be generous.

I'm embarrassed to admit that I've been more stingy that I thought. In fact, I've got a long ways to go toward being generous. So, here are a few things that I've done to help move toward generosity and away from the grip of greed.

1. Consistent giving that affects my lifestyle. For my family it means automated giving. This helps because I do not want to be an emotional giver. I want to give whether I feel like it or not. So, Lana and I decided on a specific amount and asked our bank to send a check to Forest Park every week. It works for us.

2. Being sensitive to God's promptings. When a need arises and I am able to help meet the need, I remain sensitive to God's Spirit and ask, "How can I help?" I do not meet every need; there are too many needs and I do not have enough resources. But, I try to listen carefully to where I can assist and then, when possible, I go for it.

3. Downsizing material dreams. I'm learning to be content with what I have, rather than allowing what I don't have to fuel discontent. In other words, my van is ok, it really is! Plus, by not getting so upset over what I don't have, I reduce stress and free up resources to help in other areas.

This is where I am and where I'm going.

I will love to know what you need to change. Remember, we'll all in this together.

Scott

What I'm Thinking

• 2011 is here! Didn't we just begin 2010 - the older I get, the faster time moves. It must be flying by for most of my staff.
• Enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with my family. Always enjoy having Evan, Ashlyn and Camryn home from school - sleep late, go from one party to the next, play games, watch movies. It's a blast!
• So glad school started back today!
• Loved teaching through The Christmas List - one of my favorite series that we've done at FPC.
• Did JP play the Sax yesterday or what!?! We will invite him back to play more often. JP makes playing the Sax seem easy. I think I might try it.
• By the way, Ricky Braddy makes singing look easy, too. Great having him with us yesterday. Ricky's song at the end of the message (which he wrote) was amazing. Great job!
• Thanks to Tony Klepper for filling in for me yesterday - I missed speaking, though. I love bringing the message every week.
• It was nice to be off a couple of week, however.
• We begin a new series this coming Sunday - Skittles - a 3 part series on Stewardship, Saving, Spending and Giving. If we catch and apply the principles from this series, 2011 will be incredible!
• Lana started a blog - love it!
• Ecuador 2011 will be another amazing adventure - this year we want you to join us! You don't need to pray about it, either. As if God wouldn't want you to go to Ecuador and share His love with people who desperately need it - give me a break!
• I'm excited about Discover Forest Park coming up on the 16th - I'm presenting a lot of new material and we're filming this one so we can put it on FPC's website - if you've not been a part of DFP, do it - if it's been more than a year since you have, do it again. Dinner and childcare are provided. It's gonna be fun.
• I read through a couple of books over the Christmas season, 1) Linchpin - loved it - every leader of a church and/or business should read and re-read this book. I think I underlined whole pages in this one - great stuff - really challenged me and 2) Plan B - another great book - I'm planning to present this one as a series sometime in 2011.
• Celebrated the new year with some great friends. 2010 for me was a year of making several new friends - I really like that.
• I've made a few new resolutions for 2011 - my first one is to actually keep my resolutions this year.
• Another resolution is to blog more. I can hear both of you applauding . . . thank you.
• I received some wonderful Christmas gifts this year. My favorite one was . . . I better not go there.
• I've heard a lot of wonderful reports about The Brink. More and more students are connecting, small groups are beginning soon and the kids are giving more than ever. Several really exciting activities are planned for 2011. Good job, Team!
• My daughter, Camryn, sang so well at The Brink's Christmas Party. She won a $25 gift certificate - great job, Camryn!
• FPC, because of your generosity, we were able to impact hundreds of people throughout the Christmas season. From the Angel Project to Adventure Park Gives Back to feeding families. Thank you for caring, serving, and giving. It's an honor to be your pastor.
• 2011 is going to be great - bring it on!

Stuff I'm Thinking

• WOW! Yesterday was incredible! After 3 great services, we were able to baptize 14 people with about 200 people watching and celebrating. Then after the baptism, we enjoyed our community group. I could not have asked for a better day - amazing!
• THANK YOU to the Suttons for allowing all those people to invade your house - you are amazingly generous and kind - the perfect example of hospitality - we love you!
• Special thanks also to all the people who carried tables, set up food, served the people - you know who you are and we love you, too.
• Our series, I Love My Church, has been so much fun! It has provided me an opportunity to share my heart and passion with everyone. I look forward to each Sunday.
• BTW, our new I Love My Church shirts went quickly. We almost sold out yesterday. They are hot - great job Kate!
• I've seen a lot of new people at Forest Park over the last few weeks - I enjoy making new friends and partnering with new people.
• I'm excited to announce that Amber Jones is joining our staff at as our new Worship and Production Director. She will be overseeing everything from song selection, to lighting, to vocal training and about everything in between. She will do an amazing job and I can't wait for her to get started and lead us to the next level.
• Also, Bob Chambers is assuming a new role at FPC. As of November 1, Bob will be our Pastor of Spiritual Formation and Care. Bob will continue to lead our musicians (the band) but will be giving most of his time to developing systems that will assist people with growing into spiritually mature followers of Christ. He will also be providing marriage counseling to many couples throughout FPC.
• Each week I become more convinced that we must have a larger building. Now, it just a matter of details (how and when) - we must expand our facilities in order to accomplish what we believe we've been called to accomplish. I can't wait to get started!
• I had the chance to experience Switchfoot last Wednesday evening. Incredible show! It seems as if they performed about 20 songs without stopping - high-energy - amazing talent - they rocked it out! I loved every minute of it - wish I could have them open up one of our services on Sunday!! Actually, if they came, we would probably let them sing more than just one song, huh?
• I've begun reading a new book that I LOVE - it's called Saving Leonardo. I'm reading a little at a time, digesting it, savoring it - looking forward to it each time I read.
• I cannot be more in love or proud of my incredible and beautiful wife, Lana - she just is - nuff said!
• My two daugthers, Ashlyn and Camryn, are amazing too (they take after their mother). I was listening to them sign today during voice lessons - they are both so unique and gifted - I'm a lucky man to have such amazing daughters.
• Someone made me a delicious pecan pie (I refuse to tell you who made it - I will not give away my sources - I'm afraid you will ask this person to make you one, too). Anyway, it is sooo good!
• Someone else (who will also remain nameless) promised me a carrot cake - hello, I'm waiting!
• I have received some great facebook comments and emails from people telling me how much they are enjoying the services at FPC. Some attend other churches in our area, but are checking out the messages online - the message of grace is changing people's lives - even people in other churches, cities and states.
• I love the fall.
• I love coffee.
• I love reading.
• I love leading.
• I love learning.
• I love my family.
• I love Jesus.
• I love God's kingdom.
• I love my church.
• I love you.

Stuff I'm Thinking

• We began a new series, Baggage, yesterday - great response - looking forward to part 2 next week.
• Had a lot of fun teaching Discover Forest Park last Sunday evening - 20 people signed up to become partners with us at FPC - really exciting!
• Baptism next Sunday afternoon at the Suttons - if you want to be baptized, sign up - if you want to come and celebrate with others, sign up and bring some food - if you need suggestions about what to bring, call me.
• Fall Community Groups begin next week - really pumped about this - over 190 people have signed up to be a part of a group - wow! It's going to be a great year for groups. We have a few still open - get in one, if at all possible!
• Great job Brian Sabin for getting all the online and onsite sign-ups running so smoothly - you are the man!
• I will enjoy taking Labor Day off and spending it with my family - one of my favorite things to do - ever.
• I've been reading some great books recently - I've finished up Has Christianity Failed You by Ravi Zacharias, I'm finishing Beautiful Boy by David Sheff and just started No One Sees God by Michael Novak.
• Have some interesting sermon series ideas rolling around in my head (trust me, there's plenty of room to roll around in there). Do you have a few ideas? Would love to know what you are thinking.
• We have to do something about getting more room in the 10 a.m. service - yesterday and the Sunday before we were slammed! Still some room in the 8:30 and 11:30 service - how about making the switch?
• Really enjoying Hillsong's newest release, A Beautiful Exchange. Especailly, The Greatness Of Our God - Amber Jones would knock this song out of the park - what do you say, Amber?
• By the way, she did great on Healer yesterday, too. It's easy to preach after hearing singing like that. I've tried it the other way - preaching after bad singing - no fun.
• I know that I've said it a lot recently, but I'm overwhelmed with the love that I've seen poured out at FPC during the last few weeks. The true character of a church is displayed when that church begins to feel pressure and I'm amazed at the character of FPC. Recently, we have had some pain within our body and you guys responded so beautifully - I love you and feel honored to be a part of such a great group of Christ followers.
• Have I ever told you that I love coffee - enjoying a cup right now and just felt overcome with emotion.
• My son, Evan, gets his driving license in about 8 weeks. His skills are good - But I will continue to worry - I can't believe he is old enough to have a driving license - why do some days drag on and on and yet years fly by?
• The whether yesterday (Sunday) was nearly perfect - I love Fall.
• I continue to make new friends - I love that!
• There are some people in my life who have been sent by God just to encourage me and to be on my team - I'm so thankful for each one - you are gifts to me.
• Evan is also providing drum lessons to several kids - pray for Lana and me - where's the Advil?
• Did I mention that school has started up again - for some reason the song, It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year keeps running through my mind.
• Again, if you have friends who are struggling with a lot of baggage in their lives and, at times, they feel as if they are drowning - GET THEM TO FPC NEXT SUNDAY! - sorry, I didn't mean to yell.
• I love you.

Random Thoughts

• It's been too long since my last post.
• Ecuador was amazing! We saw 8,000 students in Guayaquil, El Recreo and Milagro, our medical team treated nearly 200 people at a local prison and nearly 1,000 people in the city of Milagro. Our construction team finished the building of a medical clinic and handed over the keys to Dr. Leo. Now he can begin treating the children of El Recro. I never cease to be amazed at what a group of committed people can accomplish in only one week.
• Nate Carroll did an incredible job on our recap video. All I had to do was explain what I wanted and how the video should "feel" and he NAILED IT! It was outstanding! Nearly 400 views on Vimeo just last week!!
• We kicked off our new series, Habits, yesterday morning. We began with the habit of prayer. At first, I was concerned with whether or not I would be able to present the subject in a fresh way and inspire people to pray. It turned out much better than expected. I had several very positive comments. It worked, or people were just being nice. Either way, I was pleased with our first week.
• Lana played the keyboards during worship yesterday - great job - her passion for worship was evident. Again, I'm always so proud of Lana - her heart, her attitude, her willingness to go above and beyond in everything. She inspires me.
• While I'm bragging about my family (it is my blog), Evan so impressed me this year while in Ecuador. His heart for people continues to expand. I watched him pray and cry with people. I watched him play with the children. I watched him look for people to encourage and befriend. He gave away his hat. He gave away his soccer ball. Evan is growing into an incredible young man - it's obvious that he has a great mom!
• I had my first Advisory Team meeting last evening. I'm looking forward to meeting with these gentlemen and getting to know each of them much better. I need their prayers, love, support and accountability more than ever. I'm so honored that they are willing to be my friends.
• Community Groups are launching again in just a few weeks. We have about 15 groups that will begin in September/October. If you are not in a group - sign up as soon as possible. I love my group and look forward to meeting each time. The only downside is that we do not meet enough.
• Why do some churches have to be so freaky? I'm serious. I just don't get it. Sometimes I'm embarrassed to be labeled, "Christian".
• For some reason I can't listen enough to Hillsong's, Hold Me Now from their C.D., Faith, Hope and Love. I think that it reminds that all that is happening around is going somewhere - one day God will hold us - makes me long for that day.
• I've been reading several great books recently. Finished up, Better, A Jesuit's Guide to Almost Everything and Mere Churchianity. Almost finished with The Lost Message of Jesus and Checklist Manifesto. Great, great reading.
• I have many decisions to make - need your prayers.
• I believe that I laughed harder and more in Ecuador than I have in a long time. Of course that is not difficult when you hang out with Dave Marcais.
• I'm looking forward to vacation.
• Corinth Baptist Church gave our outreach team $1,500 for Ecuador 2011 - I'm so thankful and honored that they would be willing to invest in what do each year.
• Special thanks to everyone who filled in and made everything "work" while Lana, I and so many others were in South America. You guys know who you are and you did an outstanding job.
• With churches partnering with us from Alabama, Texas, California and several in North Carolina - Ecuador '11 may blow all of our minds!
• We're considering adding a Sunday evening service - a little different than the Sunday morning - longer worship set, Q and A after the message - possibly tables in the auditorium - what do you think?
• I wonder what chapter 2 of Forest Park Church holds - are you curious?
• I am.