Yesterday

We had a great yesterday at Fellowship of the Hills in spite of 22 inches of rain! Several churches cancelled yesterday because of the wide spread flooding but not us. Why? Here are a few thoughts…
• What we do is too important. Every week eternity is shaped by a gathering of folks hearing from God
• We are too young to call things off. I am excited if anyone shows up so to take a Sunday off is unthinkable
• People need a weekly connection to “spur one another on to love and good deeds”
• It will take more than a little rain to shut things down. We will not give in to some lame tropical storm that doesn’t know any better to make four land falls in the state
• We are Baptist in our roots so water doesn’t scare us!!!
That’s enough! Things are rolling at Fellowship of the Hills. You don’t want to miss a thing!

am I Dark?

I have a very good friend named Ken. He is one of the smartest guys I know. I met him last year when we were looking for an office space and we became friends. He said something to me last week that has been rolling around in my soul. He said “we need leaders who are filled with hope; no one wants a dark leader.” He followed up with “Scott sometimes you are dark”. His comment about being dark was not one toward evil but toward being positive. He said that I can be too dark at times.
What struck me was that I don’t think of myself as dark. I see myself as someone who leads with courage and hope. But this past year I have been more self aware of my personal struggles and short comings. So I am taking Ken’s observation to heart and choosing to change the scope of my outlook.
This year I have discovered that God’s call is good even in the dark and His promises are true even in trials. God is good and He is the one who gives us purpose. I believe that greatest work of my life is before me and I will choose to live in such a way that makes Jesus famous. I will not look back on missed opportunities with regret but with understanding and I will chart my future course following the twisting adventure filled trails of the God who is not seen but always there. I will lead like Jesus who is the light of the world and in Him is no darkness.
I have a friend named Ken and he was right. I am thankful for friends who love me enough to tell me the truth.

Mark Batterson's New Book

Today Mark Batterson’s new book “Wild Goose Chase” hits the bookstores. Mark is a wonderful leader, pastor, and man of risk. His last Book “In a Pit with a Lion on Snowy Day” rocked my world and was used by God to push me out on this new adventure of starting a church in Tallahassee. “Wild Goose Chase” is the natural next for Mark. You will find his style insightful and compelling. Mark helps us understand the pursuit of God in a powerful way. Pick up a copy and let the Lord once again use Mark’s gift to build your life.

WOW!

We had a great day at Fellowship of the Hills yesterday! The crowd is growing now that school is back and I think we are in for a great fall! My talk stirred some folks. I asked people to take their stuff to the cross, literally write it down and pin it to the cross, and I was overwhelmed with what I read. Jesus is changing lives and setting people free. I am so excited that God is helping people find forgiveness and life though what He is doing in, for, and through us! I can sense a movement of God that will leave us forever changed. Don’t miss this week-end as I talk about living a Christ centered life. Make the “ask” and bring a friend. God is showing up at Swift Creek Middle School!

I got a heart check today

While reading this morning I read about King Hezekiah. He was one of the good guys in the Old Testament. He sought after the Lord “wholeheartedly” and as a result he experienced great blessings of wealth, power, and influence. All of these blessings were about God and not about him. There came a time when God withdrew from Hezekiah to see what was in his heart. (2 Chronicles 32:31) This withdrawing was not a removal of God power, peace, presence, or protection but a mere stepping back by God in order to reveal the content of the king’s character. After all the "wholeheartedness" of this king's life God was still pushing on his character. You can read in 2 Kings 20 and see the results.
As I read this my heart jumped. I have felt that God has withdrawn from me in order to see what was in my heart. God has not left me nor has He failed me in anyway. I have noticed His distance. There have been times in the past when His presence has been so thick He was the air that filled my lungs. Maybe my reading today was the returning of God. I know that life without the power, peace, presence, and protection of the Lord is not very good. I also know that He is working on my character and never stops that process. So this morning I prayed the Psalm of David found in Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart o God”. I know that God will never leave me nor forsake me (Joshua 1:9) so I don’t worry but I do want to live in obedience and experience the fullness of His presence. What I am discovering more and more is that my life is not about me but about God. I will love Him more in the season of “withdrawing” so that He will see a heart that is fully fixed on Him.
Here is the big pressure. Tara deserves a husband like that, Caleb and Calah deserve a daddy like that, Brian and Jeremy deserve a friend and partner like that, and Fellowship of the Hills deserves a pastor like that.
I realize that this has been a little heavy today but sometimes God pushes into the deep of self examination. Thanks for going with me. Hezekiah didn’t do so well. He said “at least there will be peace in my lifetime”. God found a self centered heart after all the blessings He had given Hezekiah. That revelation broke my heart. I don’t want God to find my heart in that condition. The funny thing about a relationship with God is that He already knows, it is me that keeps playing games!
One last thought. When God withdraws He always comes close again with a freshness and power that changes me once again. He is so good!

Tara's got a club

We just returned from Tara’s post-op visit to her doctor. She doing great and expects to recover fully. She now has a cast on her hand which can become a club. I am more aware of my behavior than ever before.
This experience has a few thoughts stirring …
• It takes time to heal and often we need outside help
• When we don’t use our muscles they grow useless, the same could be said of giftedness, prayer life, well you get the point.
• Life is hard, so what, Jesus is Lord!
• I can do more to love my wife than I have been doing. This revelation was a hard one because I am selfish. The cat is out of the bag now that she knows I can do house work, cook, do wash, and make the bed! O well.
• Doctors are cool and they are no better than the folks around them, good folks on your team make a big difference.
That’s enough for now. It is raining big time in Tallahassee. I might start building an ark. FOTH turns one on the 7th of September and I am so excited about where God is taking us. We have added some great folks to our team and they are so bright and gifted. If you are a FOTHian get ready for a great fall.

Church Pirates

Pirates are not cool! I read a recent blog post by my friend Ed Young about pirates in the local church that steal away folks and start a new church down the street. His post got lots of attention. Folks all over were chiming in agreement or taking shots. I think Ed was on to something, but I think the problem is not just with the rogue staff member but with folks in the church who are holding it captive for their own selfishness.
In recent days I have had several conservations with leaders who want to honor God and move the church forward but they are being held captive by narrow minded mean spirited people who want church to cater to their needs. I call them pirates. If the church in North America is going to turn around leaders are going to have to face the pirates. Here are some thoughts about facing them…
• Be a leader who walks with God. This is a spiritual war and pirates are working for the devil. Pray, fast and saturate yourself with God’s word. Pirate wars are bloody and long.
• Expose the selfishness of pirate behavior. Be kind to the pirates but do not be kind to their evil behavior. Expect attacks. They will not be kind to you. Kindness is not softness. We are in a raging battle for the souls of lost folks and pirate behavior is keeping people away from Jesus. The goal is to see the Lord rule and reign. It is not about your agenda but God’s. if you chose to take the high road in civility you will build confidence in those who are exposed to the pirates evil behavior and win them over. Even if you have to stand alone be a man or woman of honor. Don’t sink to pirate levels.
• Cut off their networks. In every pirate movement they will raise the “skull and cross bones” to draw the weak and easily lead into their camp. You cut off their influence by over informing and exposing their sinful behavior. I have seen pirates send e-mails, make phone calls and spread lies without remorse.
• Enlist other Godly leaders to stand with you. Several years ago I had a pirate attack me with all kinds of evil. He went so far to accuse me of adultery. I discovered who would stand with me during those days. Some guys I had in leadership bailed. When the pirate was defeated I made sure the guys who refused to step up were no longer in leadership. Leading a church is hard and you can afford to have the uncourageous in leadership.
• Don’t run. Running leaves the pirates to continue their evil control. I have talked with pastors who are facing pirates who are the children and grandchildren of the founding pirate. If a leader had the courage to face the original pirate it would have saved countless folks from their evil influence. It takes great courage to face this kind of evil but pirates are cowards at heart.
• Don’t negotiate. The only solution is total defeat of pirates. If you give in they win!
• You can’t make a pirate your pet. What pirates need is salvation. A person who is so against God’s movement and the church is most likely lost. There is a big difference with being churched and being saved. If they are saved then the Lord will lead them to repentance when confronted. If they repent get them into a pirate twelve step program!
• Pirates will fight over music, style, structure, dress, and control of money. The bottom line is control. Pirates want to run things for their comfort and convenience.
• God calls the pastor to lead the church not pirates! Remember we are called by God, be strong and courageous. Find other pastors and form a small group and face the pirates together.
That is enough for today. If you are a leader I would love to hear you stories about pirate wars in your church or life. If we can understand their behavior maybe we can be used by God to lower the “skull and cross bones” that fly over most churches!

Drama

This week I am speaking on unity or better said getting along. Because relationships make our life rich they also make our lives complicated. We all know people who love the drama. Where ever they go or whoever they are with they are waving the drama stick leading the “it’s all about me parade”. If you can’t ID the person in your life who is the one I just described then it’s you! Put down the baton and get a clue!
Did you know that the New Testament has more to say about getting alone than it does about immorality? WOW! If you are in Tallahassee don’t miss this talk. If not then visit our site www.thefellowshipofthehills.org and pod cast it! This whole series on Obey might make a huge difference in your life. Remember Jesus didn’t come and die to make you better; He came to transform your life and give you forever!
Tara is doing better. She slept last night which was a big yea God. Pray that my cooking doesn’t kill her! I have to buy her a car and that is a big pain!

Tara is on the Mend

Tara had surgery yesterday to fix her broken hand. Dr. Wong put 4 pins into her broken fingers and he said she would be fine. The whole ordeal lasted about 6 hours. I took her home and began the healing process. I am very grateful that Tara will be fine but right now she is in much pain and discomfort. Throughout this season I am seeing spiritual lessons. Here are a few thoughts …
• Many times the cure to our brokenness hurts worse that the break!
• Suffering is always worse at night. Satan loves to invade our minds when we are trying to rest. Tara’s pain is really bad at night and so is our spiritual struggle.
• When a loved one hurts we all hurt, at least we should.
• When someone is struggling spiritually they need community. Our tendency is to withdraw especially when we are struggling because of some sin. The church exists to bring hope not condemnation. As Tara is recovering I must stay connected and care for her the same goes for those who are struggling spiritually. I am disturbed that the North American church is more about playing the “I’ve got it all together game” than really loving each other. You need a small group!
• Pain will bring you closer if you embrace it and not become bitter.
• Because I have experienced the same kind of pain I can help Tara in her current struggle. God never waste a hurt! Your past pain is to help someone in their current pain.
• Suffering reveals true friendships. When you are hurting true friends step up and help. We should not wait for an invitation to help but see a need and met a need.
• As I watch Tara go through this season of suffering I love her more. God has compassion and deep love for us when we struggle and He wants us to have that same compassion. God is kind!
That’s enough for now. Thanks for your prayers and support. The three Weatherfords who live in Tallahassee have all had surgery in the last 8 months. I hope this season is over!

Sneaky Tara

My wife is sneaky! She slipped around and threw a surprise birthday party for me. She planned the whole thing with her sneaky friends Chris and Valerie. One of my beliefs about leadership is about being aware. Well, her sneaky behavior exposed my lack of aware. The party was great. The party was healing for me. The party was in Victoria Texas. She planned the whole thing from Florida. I was caught off guard, she loved it. I have a wonderfully sneaky wife!
The healing part about the party was the reconnection with folks I love. We lead the church in Victoria for 15 years. I believe that leaders are to love and befriend those they lead. A leader is a friend. I missed my friends. The opportunity to talk, hug, and listen to these folks was wonderful.
I also experienced the turning of the page of leadership. Let me explain, I spoke to the entire group about the adventures of the last year in starting this new church. I share with them the struggles and victories. When I finished their new pastor, Mike Hurt spoke and closed the loop in my heart. He is a wonderful young leader full of wisdom and courage. Mike was my student pastor of 6 years. He left Victoria and served in Washington D. C. for the last 8. His return to Victoria was a very natural choice. He came to a church that had experience a split and was grieving over the ruptured relationships. Upon hearing Mike speak I knew that the church I love had a leader. He is the right guy!
God used my sneaky wife to lift so much doubt and discouragement. I love Tara and her sneaky ways.