What a Day!

Today was an incredible way to end the first leg of my sabbatical.  It started off with an early morning prayer walk through the city where God showed me some new things.  Then back off to Brooklyn Tabernacle for a time of teaching and prayer with the BT Staff led by Pastor Cymbala.  Then the long awaited highlight of the trip came with the Powerful Tuesday Night Prayer Meeting!  The house was packed with 4000 plus prayer warriors, standing room only.  The presence of the Lord was strong!  At one moment I was overwhelmed with God's Spirit as we all at one time, two by two, prayed out loud.  The sound of the prayers was deafening as we all cried out for a continued movement of God in China.  And believe it or not, as I was leaving  a man called out my name form across the room.  It was another Pastor from East Tennessee who just happened to be passing by on his way to Nova Scotia.  Imagine that!















The night was capped off as Melissa and I prayed over the city of New York from the top of the Empire State Building. And then we began to pray over our city as well. We asked the Lord to pour out His Spirit in a mighty way in Northstar and Knoxville in these last days! It reminded me of the time in scripture where Jesus prayed over Jerusalem from the Mt of Olives. It was a special moment I won't soon forget!  What a God sized adventure so far.  I can't wait to see what He has in store for me next!

Blessed!





Today is a Memorial Day I will remember for a long, long time.  I visited Ground Zero and was reminded of the tragedy of 9-11 with the shrapnel cross of iron mounted on the wall of St. Peters Church.  I was then filled with great joy as I examined the new Freedom Towers draped in American flags half way to completion rising up from the dust and ashes.  I then sat and watched the sunset over the Hudson river with the Statue of Liberty off in the distance.  I took the opportunity to personally thank many of the Military men and women on Holiday leave all over the city.  The day was only to be topped off with the sight of the Empire State Building lit in red,white and blue towering over the Manhattan skyline. I am so blessed to be a believer in Christ born in the United States of America! 

                                                                          

The Other Side of the Altar

Wow, what an absolutely incredible day of worship at The Brooklyn Tabernacle!  The moment I walked in the door I felt the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit.  By the time we got to the first song, I was holding back the tears.  It was such a relief to be in a place where nothing was expected of me but uninhibited praise!  I was there with no responsibility other than hearing from the Father.  The famous 200 voice choir was drowned out by the 4000 of us praising him with all that was within us.  What a blessing!

The time flew by and the next thing I knew, Pastor Cymbala was calling every Pastor to the altar to be prayed over.  The tables had turned.  I was on the other side of the altar.  My hands lifted high in praise as Pastor and his staff laid hands on me and others and pleaded for God's fresh touch in our lives.  I was recieving, not giving.  It felt good.

The day was capped off by an afternoon service with Dr. Tony Evans.  He brought a strong word about the authority of the church given us by Christ.  He brought the house to thier feet in celebration.  Thank you Jesus for pouring out your Love on me today!

When in New York...

You know what they say, "When in New York, eat the Cheesecake!"  Rasberry Hazrlnut Chocolate Chunk from Roxy's Delicatession on Times square.  It's as good as it looks!  It's really that BIG too!

God Loves NY

Wow, what a crazy day today!  At 5:45 am Melissa and I hugged our daughter Erin goodbye as she dropped us at the Knoxville Airport.  By 10:30 am, we sat having an early lunch in a small Manhattan diner.  All day my mind has raced with this thought;  what in the world would the Apostle Paul think about all this?  I imagine he would say, "Are you kidding me, you can jump in that little silver thing and in a day be half way around the world? Let's go!  This is an incredible way to spread the Gospel!"

As I sat in Times Square today among thousands of people from all over the world, I was reminded that God loves them all and has given us the incredible opportunity to be a part of reaching them with the love of Christ!

With air travel and an abundance of technology, the world is getting smaller every day.  Just the fact that I can sit here in my hotel room tonight and send this message out around the world in an instant blows me away.  I am more convinced than ever before that we are living in the last days and that we should use every possible means available to spread the Gospel.  Yes, even Blogs and Facebook.  There I said it (Vogel/Smith). 

I am so excited about how the Father will use Northstar to be a part of reaching the world from right there in Knoxville, Tennessee.  I am full of anticipation of our time at Brooklyn Tabernacle all day tomorrow.  We will hear Pastor Jim Cymbala at 12 and then Dr. Tony Evans at 3.  Cant wait!

Give Yourself Away

"I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps."  (Jeremiah 10:23)

When I read this passage today my mind quickly raced to a recent season of worship at Northstar when we all stood with hands raised and voices boldly proclaiming "my life is not my own, to you I belong, I give myself, I give myself to you Lord!" 

I understand today better than ever that the only reason we exist on this earth is to give our lives away in order to advance His kingdom!  It is only as we come to this humble realization, that the Father can fully use us up for His glory!  Then and only then can He begin to "order our steps."   

CrossRoads

Have you ever felt as though you were standing at a major crossroads in your life?  This is exactly how I feel today.  I have felt for several months now that the Father has been luring me away to a secret place with Him so that He may show me His ways.  It is as though the Lord has been saying, "Scott, there are some awesome things I want to show you, but I cant do it where you are.  It's way to loud and busy there." 

The word for today comes from Jeremiah 6:16.  "This is what the Lord says:  Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."

It's not a new way for Him, just for me.  His word says it is an ancient path.  One that has been traveled by many before us.  Let's all cry out to our heavenly Father today for His "good way" for us and in it find true rest for our souls! 

Land Yacht!

Found me a SWEET new ride for my sabbatical travels!  Naw,  just kiddin.  Just thought we might need a little humor break from time to time from all this seriousness.  I just busted into a deep belly laugh when I rolled up beside this classic 80's land yacht this morning! I just had to get a quick picture with my phone cam.  It must have been at least 26 feet long from end to end.  I wouldnt even fit in my camera frame.  Wouldnt you love to be putting gas in this baby! 

I just thought about how quickly things change in a lifetime.  Then the Lord reminded me of His promise in Hebrews 13:8 which states that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."  Isn't great to know that in a world of contstant change and uncertainty that He never changes!

Open Heart Transplant

During this Sabbatical, the Father has led me to slowly and deeply digest the books of Jeremiah and Acts.  I invite you to join me on this journey so we can hear from Him together. 

As I walked through the first seven chapters of Jeremiah, God spoke to me in some powerful ways, but none greater so far than Chapter 3:15.  Here He says;  "Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding."   At the moment I read this passage the Spirit of God spoke clearly into my heart and said  "this is exactly what I want to do for you."  During these days of watching, looking and listening I believe the Father wants to perform in me a spiritual open heart transplant.  He wants to change my heart into one like His.  Then and only then can I lead us with His "knowlege and understanding."  Please join with me in praying for this heart like Jesus.

I am filled with an anticipation and excitement of how the Lord is going to work in my life like never before!  It's a joy being on the adventure of faith with you! 

Here we go!

Well this is my first ever blog entry.  Yesterday was an incredible day at Northstar!  I am so thankful to be a part of such a sweet body that not only allows me time away with God, but actually celebrates it with me.  I am really looking forward to what the Father reveals to us all on this adventure!