The Way Church Was Meant to Be!

Monday night was one of the sweetest nights of ministry I have ever experienced!  We had the premier launch of "Church at the Joe."  This was a night of kicking country Christian music, worship, prayer and preaching.  God moved in a powerful way.  There were over 600 in attendance and over 30 people trusted Christ as the personal Savior of their lives for the very first time!  And all this took place in a country music dance hall and bar.

It was so refreshing to get outside the four walls of the Church bubble (literally for us) and just be the Church in our City!  It just felt so right.  It just felt like something Jesus would do.

There was an air of excitement and energy like I have never known as the people came pouring into the building.  We had media coverage from all three local television stations and the Knoxville newspaper.  We even discovered that a nationwide Christian radio station had picked up the storyline for the day.  ABC News, New York called and did a phone interview for thier webpage.  And all this started in the heart of a layman who had a dream to do something significant for the Kingdom of God. 

After the service, the dance floor was full of people laughing and smiling as they tried out some country line dancing.  Others were talking smack around a friendly game of cornhole.  Still others were praying together and celebrating the night with light hearted conversation and soft drinks. 

From a distance, as I took it all in, I said to myself; "I would have never thought in a million years that this could be what church or vibrant ministry could look like for me."  I smiled, breathed out a big sigh of relief and said, "now, this just feels right!"  "This is surely how Church was meant to be!"  I cant wait till December!

The Promise

Check out the video below for a special message for this coming Sunday!


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Half Way Home!

Wow!  Have you ever seen $1,600.00 worth of Quarters?  Well, now you have!  Our total for "Feed the Need" this past Sunday was $5,200.00!  Praise the Lord!  This is enough for 28,000 meals.  We are over have way home to our goal of 40,000 meals for starving Children around the world as part of Worship in the City. 

I cant wait to see "wheel barrow" offering part two this Sunday.  So don't forget to bag those quarters and dig out every one dollar bill within your reach.  I really believe we are gonna make it!  This is so the heart of Jesus! 

Calling all Quarters!

Hey Check out this picture I just got on my phone.  The sub-title said  "Oooooohhhhh.........look what i got!!!!   This is $162.50 worth of quarters!  Do you realize that will feed 650 starving Children around the world?  But, if you look real close in the picture, you can see additional coins in the bottom of a jar, not yet counted! 

This look like a challenge to me!  But, not only to me, but to you as well. So, I'm searching all over, digging out all my quarters for this coming Sunday.  I hope you do the same.  And don't forget those ONE DOLLAR BILLS as well.  If we all pitch in and do our part, I truly believe we can reach our goal of $10,000 that will feed 40,000  starving Children!  Wow, wouldn't that bless the heart of Jesus! 

Come get on board with us @ Northstar these next two Sundays as we partner with "Feed the Need" and "Worship in the City" on August 26-27 @ the Worlds Fair Park in downtown Knoxville.  Together our dream is to provide a meal for 1 Million starving children.  Together we can!

A Bear Crossing!

 This past Friday I made an early morning run around the Cades Cove loop on my Old School, Walmart special, one speed, Huffy Beach Cruiser Bike.  About 9 miles into the 11 mile loop I road up on this beautiful Smoky Mountain Black Bear.  By that time my legs were a little noodley.  I was thankful for big stand of Blackberries close by.  He chose them instead of me for lunch!  (They say preachers taste bitter anyhow you know.)  Thank you Lord for sharing with me such a beautiful display of your creation!  It was awesome!

A New Thing!

Tonight my mind races with excitement as the Lord continues to pour out His Spirit on me in fresh new ways.  As I sat and listened to the tree frogs and watched the twinkling of the fireflies in the tree tops, God reminded me that it is all for His glory!  I am more convinced at this moment that the Lord is preparing to do some incredible New Things at Northstar and Knoxville in the days just ahead.

This journey of faith is much like a trip floating down a river.  You watch with excitement and great anticipation as you make each turn, not really certain what is just around the next bend.  This is exactly how I feel in this moment of sleeplessness as the Lord just reminded me of the passage He recently gave me from the book of Isaiah chapter 43.
^{18 "Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.} I really believe that God is about to do things in our midst that we once thought were impossible!  Please stop right now as you read this entry and pray that the Father would have His perfect way with us and that He would open doors of opportunity before us that no man can shut!  Get ready, It's coming!

Jesus Is Big on Forgiveness

I have been reading through the Gospel of Matthew the past few days and was reminded that Jesus is big on forgiveness.  It starts with the model prayer in chapter 6 where He says "forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors."  The last part is past tense, in other words forgive us only after we have forgiven others.  In verse 15 Jesus states; "But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."  This is serious business!

In chapter 18 verse 21, Peter is trying to be all holy and pious when he publicly asks Jesus "how many times should I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"  And Jesus replies in verse 22, "not seven times, but seventy-seven times."  Seven being the number of perfection or completion, Jesus is not saying 490 times, but rather indefinitely or however many it takes.  He is commanding us to forgive every time, as long as it takes.  The number is irrelevant.

He then tells the parable of the unmerciful servant who is harshly judged because he was unwilling to forgive as he was forgiven.  He then brings the closer in verse 35 when He says; "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."  Did you see that?  He was not talking about lip service or just going through the motions of forgiveness just because you have too, but rather a true forgiveness that comes from the deepest part of your heart with great sincerity. 

This kind of forgiveness seems impossible at times and is, apart from the power of the Holy Spirit that lives inside of each of us as believers in Christ.  Lets all allow the Spirit of God in us bring us to complete forgiveness to all those who have wronged us.  This is His way!

Modern Day Apostle

Monday was an incredible day for me.  I met the most Godly man I have ever known.  He is 71 years old and one of the Fathers of the underground Church movement in China.  As I sat and listened to him for over 2 hours it was as though I was listening to a continuation of the book of Acts.  His stories of imprisonment and persecution were gut wrenching.  His stories of the miraculous peace and deliverance of the Holy Spirit were amazing!  It put a longing and desire deep inside me to experience Him in this same way, even if it means suffering and persecution.

It reminded me of the the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:10; "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings..."

The Lord's Spirit is prompting me in two distinct ways these days:

1.  I feel that He is calling me to be a part of reaching the unreached in hard, out of the way places with the gospel.  To take the road less traveled with the love of Christ.

2.  I feel a strong direction to fully understand the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life, ministry and future.

It seems as though these two are inseparable. Please pray with and for me as we run after all the Father had in store for us just around the corner!

How's Your Heart?

"Rend your heart and not your garments.  Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love..."   (Joel 2:13)

Just a vivid reminder today that the Lord is not interested in our outward appearance, but rather the condition of our hearts!  Lets be open and transparent with the Father today as we run after His heart!  He has great things in store for us just around the bend!

My Desire

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?"  (Psalm 42:1-2)

This has become the desire of my heart. To rise up early and meet with the living God of the universe!  It is here that we find true purpose and meaning in each new day! My prayer is that each of us readjust our lives and schedules to consitantly spend alone time with Him.  This is the source of a life with meaning and purpose!  He is waiting for you.

What a way to start the day!!!

I got up early every morning in Nicaragua around 5 am and settled in with my Bible, my journal and a hot cup of Nicaraguan coffee under the Rancho out by the ocean.  I spent about 2 hours just reading, writing, listening and talking with my heavenly Father.  The time went by so quickly and was so precious to me.  The Spirit of God spoke so loud and clear to me each new day as I set aside the time to hear from Him.  (And yes those are my feet!)  Remember the Bible says "Beautiful are the feet of those who carry the gospel." 

Most of us as believers in Christ live way to busy, way to safe and way to self- sufficient to ever hear from the Spirit of God.  We seldom experience His power and presence because we have arranged our lives to the place where we are never desperate enough for Him to show up.  What a shame!  I want to challenge us all to rearrange our lives in such a way that we hear fresh and new from God's Spirit each new day!

The Road Less Traveled!

This recent trip to Nicaragua was full of Firsts for me.  Sand Boarding a Volcano, Boogie Boarding huge waves in the Pacific Ocean and a River Boat ride up a Crocodile infested estuary.  But none of these will ever match our rugged trips to a remote mountain village where we had the blessed opportunity of sharing the Gospel of Christ for the very first time with many of its residents!

It began at a newly discovered elementary school that was tucked away under some huge spreading trees on a remote dirt road that led up to the Volcano.  There were 44 Students and 3 teachers of which only 2 had ever heard of Jesus Christ. 

From there we simply prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to guide us as we drove out stopping only where we felt the Spirit's prompting.  Cold calling from house to house in the Jungles of Nicaragua is a little uncertain at times.  We found each family kind and open to talk to the "Chelles"  or white people.   You see hundreds drive by every week on there way to the Volcano, but by their testimonies nobody ever stops.

What a blessing to see many of these whole families give their lives to Christ!  One young boy was overjoyed by receiving a baseball glove.  He said it was the dream of his life to own one, but thought it would be impossible.  With God all things are possible!  Praise His name!  (notice the camo hat we left him as well!)

I have the desire now more than ever to carry the Gospel where no man has gone with it before!

Are You Kidding Me?

I just had one of the Coolest experiences of my lifetime!  Our group hiked to the top of an active volcano called Cerro Negro (the Black Hill).  We hiked up along the rim and from the peak could see for miles.  On one side, you could look down and see the smoke and smell the sulfer.  On the other side was a steep 1900 foot decline of fine ground lava sand. 

We got our instructions form our guide Anry, put on our gear, grabbed our boards, held on tight to the ropes and yelled all the way to the bottom in about 45 seconds!  It was an adrenaline rush I wont soon forget!  Keeping it real!

Cerro Negro

This has been an incredible week for me in Nicaragua! God is speaking deeply into my life through His written word and precious Holy Spirit.  Internet access is extremely limited, so my entries are few.  Two highlights of the first few days were Sand Boarding down a huge, active Volcano called Cerro Negro followed by leading many to Christ in some very remote villages which have never received the gospel before! Many of the people had never even heard the name Jesus!  This has been a dream of my life.  To go with the gospel to places where no man has ever carried it before. Wow, God is so good!  Keep on praying for me over these next few days.  I hope to check in with you live at Northstar Sunday via Skype.  Hope to see you then! 

Blessings,

Scott

Going Home

Today was such a sweet blessing in my life. I was invited to go back to my home Church and preach.  This is a place that is very dear to my heart!  This is the place where I came to know Christ, was baptized at age 14, preached my first sermon and was ordained to the Gospel Ministry.  These are precious believers who first believed in me and poured into my life from childhood.  It was such an honor to stand in this pulpit and preach the word of the Lord.  It felt really good to be able to give a little something back to those who have given so much to me!

The Lord showed Himself faithful.  The worship was powerful, just like always.  The body was so positive and affirming.  The Holy Spirit moved in a such a strong way.  It was good to be in the house of the Lord!

True Believers

 Acts Chapter 5:13-14 grabbed me.  "No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.  Nevertheless, more men and women beleived in the Lord and were added to their number."

The Spirit of God was moving in such powerful ways in the New Testament Church, casual believers didnt even consider joining them.  At the same time, the Lord kept drawing in and adding TRUE believers to their number every day.

Wouldnt it be incredible if the Spirit of God moved so powerfully at Northstar each week that only those with a sincere heart for God felt at home.  Lets join hearts and pray that the Holy Spirit draws us to such a place!

Manna?

I must surely be in part of the Promised Land, these taste just like Manna!  They are food fit for a Krispy King!  You should try one soon.  It's vacation, we can pick the disciplined food regiment back up next week.  Just remember, all things are good in moderation!

The Wrong Question

For many years now I, along with many others in my life, have been seeking for more of the Holy Spirit.  I have sought a fresh touch, a deeper experience with Him.  This week as I started slowly digesting the book of Acts the Lord revealed to me that we have been asking the wrong question.

I have been asked "How can I get more of the Holy Spirit?"  I have asked that question myself.  I now believe that the real question should be "How much of me does the Holy Spirit have?"  I am convinced that all of the Holy Spirit you will ever get, you get the day you trust Christ as the Savior of your life.  At that moment you are "baptized with" or "filled with" the Spirit of God. 

Since the Holy Spirit is a person, we get Him in full.  All of Him.  All He has to offer is ours in Christ.  He cannot give us more or less of Himself.  So lets stop asking for more of Him and start giving Him all of us! 

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has comes on you.  And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria and to the ends of the earth."  ( Acts 1:8)

Walking In His Ways

This morning as I was prayer walking on the beach and listening to a message on Missions from David Platt on my ipod  touch, I found my self following the path of least resistance.  The soft sand was difficult to walk on at times and so I began to follow the fresh tire tracks in the sand left behind by the beach patrol the night before.

It was so much easier to walk there on the firmly packed sand.  It was in that time that I began to pray to the Spirit of God and ask that He would begin to teach me to see His path in my life that clearly.  My desire is to keep in step with the Spirit and never stray from His best for me!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."     (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Thank you Father for the sweet promises of your word!

Spiritual CPR

In Jeremiah 33:3 God gives us an incredible formula for new life.  I like to call it Spiritual CPR!  "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."  It's a Three fold process.  Check this out.

1.  C ommand-  "call to me"
2.  P romise-  "I will answer you"
3.  R evelation- "tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

So, the next time you are tired, weary or spiritually dry, give this a try.  Take God at His word and see if He doesn't come through for you just like He has me so many times before!