Profile Updates

So today the California courts upheld the vote from November that marriage is between one man and one woman. Overlooking the fact that that is Biblical, it is what the people wanted (twice). The first time they voted a court of only 5 overturned what the people wanted and allowed gay marriage. Did you hear that? They OVERTURNED what the people voted for. Why vote if a handful can then say in effect, "you people don't know what you really want so we change it"? So California had to vote again, as crazy as that is, and again voted to define marriage as between one man and one woman. And, again the courts felt the need to take up the issue, but this time they decided that the people do know what they want and upheld the vote. Again, how ridiculous is it that they had to take the case but that's another discussion altogether. All day today on facebook I read about my friends and their friends railing against the decision to uphold what the people want and then equate that to what founding fathers had to say about freedom. Sadly my friends don't get it. The founding fathers recognized our freedom from God and set in motion the voting privileges we have today. They said that the people by vote should decide how they want to be governed and what laws should be in place, now those same people who enjoy that freedom argue when it doesn't go there way. And by the way non of my friends live in California so what's the beef anyway? Again, I'm trying to get past what the issue is (obviously I agree with the people of California, at least on this) and talk about the absurdity of courts deciding if the people know what they really want. Look I cannot take Obama to court because I don't like that he was elected. I cannot talk Bev Perdue to court because I didn't vote for her, and it is insane that some people can take the vote of the people to court simply because they don't like it. I say move to Maine if you want it so bad, or is your only recourse to complain? If you want an issue so bad move to where it is enacted, or are you not wanting inconvenience for your ideals? If the people of North Carolina outlawed my faith I would move in a heartbeat, and let those people have the state they want. Sorry but that's the country we live in. A group of independent states, and the freedom to vote and move how ever you choose. Glad that's done....have fun on facebook and by all means believe that what you do on there changes the world.

Scott

Trend

I've been hearing a lot lately about a trend I'm not sure is a good thing. I've heard people talk lately about how God will take us where we are and is all Loving and it's ok to mess up and none of us are perfect. Which I agree with, BUT. The problem is that we stop there and don't want better. A trend in the church right now is to love all and except all and we are falling short of helping people OUT of their sins. We want to say to the alcoholic, "God loves you and we don't condemn you" see them saved and we walk away to the next unsaved person, believing that the alcoholic is saved and it's all good. The truth in that God wants us broken (Psalm 51), He wants us to become a "new creation" (Col 3, 1 Cor 5), and He wants us to stop sinning (John 8). Now I am not insane enough to think that we stop sinning when we get saved but we need to stop using it as a excuse to continue in sin we enjoy, and as an excuse not to press the new Christian into stopping his or her actions. Now God is Love, but God also hates sin. He wants better for us. It is, in my opinion, immature to have the mindset that we need to love people and except them as they are and not expect better for them. Love wants the best for a person, and the best is not to continue in sin. The truth of the Bible is that God takes us as we are in whatever sin we are in, no matter how big it is, He loves us unconditionally, BUT wants us to stop sinning because it is the best for us. He does not expect that we will not ever sin and is willing and ready to forgive those sins, bu t we have to stop using that as a crutch to not want better, to not want to correct, and the not want to stop our enjoyable sins. I am be no means a legelist and understand fully my weaknesses but we are going down a scary and slippery road when we liberalize Christianity. The church for too long shut people out because of what they have done and we are correcting that, but we cannot do it at the expense of God's standards and justice. In 1 John John says that he wrote that letter so that we don't sin but adds "when you do". He wants us to stop sinning, but knows it's a tough task. Work at it!! It may never happen but not to try does not show evidence of a changed heart or a saved life (James). God excepts all and wants the best for all and that is to "go and sin not more".

Scott

Worship Music

What can't God do through worship music? Ok, that's rhetorical because there's nothing God cannot do. Last night do to unplanned events (hehe God is in control) I had the honor to jam with the band I lead for 8 years and that I haven't played with in a year and a half. My boss ruined the surprise of my surprise graduation party, but b/c of knowing I in turn knew who was coming. I found out that most of the guys and gals from the old G's band were going to be there. On the way home from church God hit me up with the idea of calling them and having them bring a little gear and jam out some worship music. They willingly excepted the invitation and in my opinion the party rocked and God was honored. Yeah it was a tad unrehearsed (that's what a year and a half will do to you) but it was a blessing to my heart to play and lead with those guys again. I am fully planning on doing it again for a night of worship real soon. I know my mom and wife hate that the "surprise" was ruined but I know God was in control the whole time in order to bless our hearts with a blast from the past. If any of you guys form the band read this, know that your phones will be ringing some to do it again, and we will even try to practice and learn some new songs to add to our list.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

 "A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)

Psalms 33, personal God

Psalms 33
9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.
13 From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth-
15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

I haven't written in a while

Busy Busy Busy. I'll come up with something soon.
Read Habakkuk, God is killing me with it right now. It parallels well with Philippians too if you get that far. Have fun, read your Bible, check out Crosswinds this week (new building same God).
Scott

I Will Praise You In The Storm

Habakkuk 1:2-4, 3:17-19
Last Wednesday the Crosswinds worship team began work on a song called "You're Never Giving Up" by Jonathan David Helser (you can listen to it at http://www.aplacefortheheart.org/, click on music player) and the next morning I left for my yearly camping trip with my two best friends. Every year we plan a trip to Cape Lookout on our kayaks. It's about a 4.5 mile paddle out in fairly open waters, which is not that big of a deal...usually. When we got to the launch site on Thursday it was about 20 mile an hour winds at our backs, but the waters looked calm. They looked calm because the white caps were on the back side of the swells due to wind direction. We were set on going out so we set out. It's about .6 mile to the first small island that we can break at. Roughly half way my friend John and I had a serious conversation about life and death and turning back. Turns out the swells were about 3-4 feet with 35-40 mile winds, and we were in 14 foot kayaks with 70 pounds of camping gear...yeah leaning on God came on strong. I began to sing "You're Never Giving Up" over and over. I was literally terrified. 4 hours later we landed safely on Shacklford Banks, ran into a very nice equestrian biologist were thought we were crazy for crossing in the rough seas. That night I read over all 6 passages were Jesus calmed seas. Long story short the trip was great fun playing with wild horses, kayaking about 13 miles total, sleeping on a beach, and watching the sunset over the Atlantic, except for the first 4 hours. I learned in my pitiful state on the seas that I need to learn to lean on God when times are good and terrifying. The real painful part is that we prayed for safety and it only took 10 minutes to forget the promise of peace, painful arrogance in stress and worry. The Word says to praise Him in all circumstances (1 Thess) good and bad. Forgive me Lord for only turning to You in times of terror!! But, thank You for calming to seas!! I will praise You at the peaks of the swells and in the valleys!
Blessings,
Scott

Weekend in Review

Ok, so obviously this weekend was Easter and it was exhausting in the best of ways. Here is a rundown.
-Friday-the day Jesus was beaten and murdered for my sins. We shopped for a stove, and I worked on Easter music.

-Saturday-the day Jesus was busy defeating sin and death. We went to Scott's Hill Baptist Church for an awesome Easter celebration for the kids. I was the parent who made my daughter cry by rushing to what I thought was a special silver egg, when all she wanted was the one with flowers on it...father of the year. Long story short we got both eggs!! Later we had an egg hunt for all who live on our street and their families. It was an awesome time to meet new friends, and Jesse and my wife did a great job putting it together. That night we ate at Port City Chop House, and I woke up with the same tummy ache I would have had with McDonalds...I'm just sayin'.

-Sunday-the day Jesus rolled away the stone!! We got up at 4:30am to get ready for a sunrise service on the beach. It was an amazing time! First off we got to see our old friends from Life who were doing a service right beside us. We got to play 5 songs as the sun came up over our shoulders. It was awesome watching the Easter morning sun come up just as the women and disciples did on the first Easter morning. Later we had two great services at Crosswinds. The first one had low attendance but was still a great service. The second was standing room only!! People really celebrated victory in salvation!! After that we went and had some family time at my sisters house. She's a great host!! And one more Easter egg hunt. Last night I went to bed too late, but exhaustion from Easter celebration is an awesome feeling!!

THE VEIL HAS BEEN TORN!!

Blessings,
Scott