Calling quote

I have been talking about "calling" a lot lately. Not the Verizon-"Can you hear me now?" type of calling. I mean the "calling" thing we talk about in our Jesus circles. The type of calling that leads a person to move 500 mile from home in the middle of winter to the "snow dump" capital of the northeast.

I read a quote a year ago that has been huge. If you read this quote in combination with Ephesians 2:10, you will get a peek into the spiritual journey God has taken me on over the last twelve months. Yes, the same spiritual journey that is leading me to the home of the Bills, Buffalo Wings and soon to be "The Greene's."

"Calling" is a comprehensive picture of he unique path laid out for each of us, consisting of the particular things God has asked us--and sometimes no one else--to do.--Andi Ashworth

"We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to to the good works that he has planned in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

May you find what He is "calling" you to do today.

Movie trailer laughter

I like movie trailers. They are cheap, you save a ton of time over watching the entire movie...you don't end up eating a $16 bucket of popcorn with free refills until you're sick...not that I have done that. Here's one that made me laugh. You may have even seen the movie already, but I thought I'd share this anyway.



"I Want Someone To Eat Cheese With"

Note the irony of the movie title...In case you weren't aware, I can't eat cheese. I have a gag reflex.
(Deanna, if I did eat cheese...I'd want to eat it with you!)

Here it is.

Well, after several months of prayer, conversations, worship moments seasoned by Jesus and quiet moments with my wife and my God...Deanna and I are moving to Buffalo, New York.

My fingers can't keep up fast enough to type what I am feeling and thinking these days. Let me say this first. Deanna and I know this is a God thing! We are not leaving Warsaw and WCC because we are running away from something. We ARE running, but we are attempting to run into the arms of Jesus. We know this is a step of obedience he is calling us to. I didn't go looking for this...I wasn't asked to leave...God brought this opportunity to us. I have not once gone to the internet looking for other jobs or places to pastor. The list of "Holy Spirit happenings" that has brought this about is pretty exhaustive.

To be very specific...I have accepted an offer to work at The Chapel at Crosspoint as their "Director of Kings World". This position involves oversight and leadership of ministry to infants through 4th graders. I also get to help lead and develop their ministry to parents and families. They host a monthly worship service just for kids and their parent called Extreme Family Ministry (XFM)...kids can't get in without parents. If you are familiar with Kidstuf at Northpoint...ya, that's it.

This position will allow me to use my last 12 years in student ministry and combine it with my current role as father to a five year old and one year old. Oh ya, they also want me to help them be more creative, help teach, and they are planting churches all over western New York. I can't tell you how excited we are to be a part of the family at The Chapel. The mission of The Chapel: To reach every man, woman and child in their circle of influence. (Sound familiar?)

This move is also very difficult for us on several levels.
1. We are moving to Buffalo, NY in January. They average 93 inches of snow every year.
2. Our family is in Indiana. My parents are in Muncie and all of Deanna's family is in Warsaw...or within an hour of Warsaw.
3. We love our friends, and will be moving from them.

I will write more later, but I will close with these three thoughts. We would have loved to have sat with each and you on shared this news with you in person. Unfortunately, time does not permit. Know that we care about all of you, even if we were not able to communicate this with you in person. Secondly, please join us as we pray for our house to sell by Christmas. God wants us to pray specifically, so that is what we are doing. Keep your radar up for someone looking for a home. (details here). Lastly, I love my wife and can't imagine this walk without her. Deanna has been a constant support and encouragement over this last season on our life together. Please pray for us...that we will continue to draw closer to each other and to God through this exciting time. (Love you Deanna!)

Scott

Big Announcement

Not that there is anyone reading this anymore, but in case you have an RSS feed or in case you check here on occasion, I will be releasing a big annnouncement here in a day or so. God is up to some big stuff in our lives! Can't wait to tell you...both of you who might stumble across this.

Blogging again?

So...am I blogging again...we'll see. Now that Deanna is blogging...I think there may be some competition. Only time will tell.

Superman

I love this kid. Doesn't it look like he is flying. This is him at Camp Adventure going off of the high dive. We think he is amazing. Our prayer is that "lots of people will know about Jesus because of him." We are off to a good start. Thank you God for this little boy/man.

A good day!

Life is good. Fun times here at home today with the family. I am so thankful to God for blessing me. This life is more than I deserve!
Scott

Home Again

We are all home and alive and I haven't gotten any phone calls yet telling me that I forgot a student in Florida. What a great week. I can't wait to see the long term affects this week is going to have on our students. Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement. It meant a ton. Over the next few weeks, I would love to hear from you parents about the change you have maybe seen in your students. We use these stories for fuel during hard times and as encouragement that God is on our side and in charge. As promised, here is a list of the adults who also made this trip possible. I was simply able to be the "up front guy" updating the blog.

Angie Schmitt
Bonnie Swanson
Cathy Laker
Christine Schilling
Lori Rose
Chrissie Smith
Mallery Pierce
Brandon Schmitt
Darcy Meade
Darren Kline
Jeff VanHouten
Nate Stockman
Scott Greene
Troy Hershberger
James Randall
Josh Schmucker

If you know any of them, please pass on your gratitude for all they gave up to give your students an excellent week.

I'll be updating this site for a few more weeks. Please leave your lifechange stories here or e-mail them to me at sgreene@wccconnect.com.

In Christ,
Scott

Session One

DSC08513
Originally uploaded by Scottie G-Bomb.

Session one kicked off with a huge bang. We were all inspired by the opening worship time, the lights, sound and the opportunity to worship with 2000 other people who are here for the same reason...to connect with God. If tonight is any indication, these next few days will prove to be amazing. Thnaks for your prayers!

Scott

Great photo's I didn't take.

I love my kids. I can say that now...I have kids. Two of them. Recently Leslie Wildman took photo's of the boys. These photo's are amazing. I know we will treasure these photo's as they boys grow bigger and older.

The stuff that matters

Here are some pictures from the last week. What a great time. These photo's remind me that as life chugs along sometimes at a frantic, break-neck speed...and the humanness and sin of other people drag us down...these are the things that matter. Thanks God for providing these blessings here on Earth. I'm sure they are a picture of things to come.

Respect for the dog also.

Isn't this cool. Aaron loves Isaac. Now if we can get him to like the dog again. Seems that Isaac's arrival has turned Aaron's attitude toward the dog to the dark side. We now have a "zero tolerance" policy for acts of random meanness committed toward the dog.

Things are good.

Well, Isaac is doing great. Deanna is recovering well and we are adjusting to life with "two". It is exciting and scary all at the same time. Aaron loves Isaac and is great with him. At the same time...Isaac has inspired Aaron to turn up the volume on everything. Aaron has always had extroverted tendencies...those have exploded in the last week.

Mostly though, Deanna and I are thankful. God has blessed us again...and so much more than we deserve. He has brought us Isaac through a crazy journey that we would not have picked...but we wouldn't trade the outcome for anything. Also, friends are coming out of the woodwork and bringing food and gifts. It is amazing. Thank you all for your prayers, desserts, gifts, and your friendship.

Isaac Scott Greene is here. He arrived on May 3rd at 3pm. Yes, we know he was scheduled to arrive on the 9th...be he decided the third sounded better. Deanna and he are both doing well. Aaron has visited several times and LOVES his little brother. They are a great pair. Looks like we may even be going home today (Friday). Thanks for all your prayers. God came through in a major way. Isaac is a blessing!

Two Weeks Back at High School

On Thursday I go back to high school for two weeks. You can read all of my entries at www.twoweeksback.com starting tomorrow. Also, check out the video diary and results from the student survey's.

Back to School

Well, it’s official. Seven days from today I am going back to high school for two weeks. I know it sounds weird…but it isn’t. In one week I am going back to high school for two weeks. I’ll be a 33 year old sophomore with a locker, school ID, backpack and five classes. Here’s the official answer to the question, “What the heck are you thinking?”

I am trying to achieve a greater understanding of today’s student culture. I want to understand the pressures that exist on student’s time, emotions, family and relationships. Hopefully by immersing myself in a students schedule and environment, I will gain valuable perspectives that will allow myself and the staff of Warsaw High School to make informed decisions in regards to leading and guiding students.

Long Term: It is my desire that the data collected (through the website, through my interviews and through feedback from students) will serve to be beneficial to parents, administrators, local and state level educators and other community youth workers.

So, today I went to school to get things rolling. I got my locker…#G212…It’s in the Math hallway. Students laugh when I tell them that, and I’m not really sure why…I guess I will find out. I also got my parking pass (see the picture). AND…I finally got my Schedule.

Class Schedule

Algebra I

Construction

Drawing

English 10

Freshman P.E.

I contacted a few of my teachers today. I have to go get school supplies today! My drawing class is going to set me back $23. And trust me…I could sell the artwork I am going to create and still owe people money. I wonder if the construction class would be willing to come to the house and help me with a few projects?

Next Tuesday we will officially launch the website for this experience….http://www.twoweeksback.com/ and my first day of class will be March 2nd. I will temporarily suspend blogging here at scottiegreene.blogspot.com and will be document my experience through http://www.twoweeksback.com/. I’ll write more later. Are any of you good at Algebra?
Scott

Lions, Bears and Bathtubs...Oh, my!

“He tried it on lions, he perfected it on bears…he was ready for Goliath.” (speaking about David…future King, and one of Aaron’s favorite Bible characters.)

What are you practicing?  We are all rehearsing for something.  Every day we repeat patterns of behavior that train our bodies and brains to do something.  So, what are you rehearsing?  

I’ve gotten on my soapbox several times in the last year and complained about parents training their children for dysfunction because of the schedules they allow them to keep, the number activities they allow them to be in and the lack of priority of God they place in their lives and the lives of their kids.  Yikes…that almost sounds judgmental.  Maybe that’s why I am confessing it here.  Maybe I have been rehearsing the same thing.  If you read my backlog of blogs, you might come to the conclusion that I suffer from the same dysfunction…especially when you read the number of blogs labeled “pace”.  

My point is this…David prepared for Goliath.  Sure, he didn’t know he would meet Goliath when he got up that day…but he was ready because he had been faithful for many days, months and years leading up to that event.  He knew what he was capable of, and he certainly knew what God was capable of: evidence provided when he boldly declared: “the battle is the Lord’s” (you should hear my 3 year old say that…it’s so cute!)  Maybe David should have prepared and rehearsed a little more for the “Bathsheba moment”…then again, maybe he had rehearsed for that moment…do you think it was the first time he found himself on the roof spying on a bathing woman?

What behaviors are you rehearsing?

This is Funny

Nothing too spiritual or encouraging today...but watch this...you will laugh!

Scott

http://www.youtube.com/?v=dReE6zbmH7U

Courage

"God has a unique purpose that he desires to carry out in me. To know this purpose, I must first know Him. To fulfill this purpose, I must trust Him and have the courage to act on it...which may feel like a risk. "---Catalyst, Elements of a Next Generation Leader

I think that I need to be more courageous. When I look back and examine my life...my greatest leaps in fulfilling my calling came when I was being courageous. Not foolish...but courageous. There was definitely risk involved. But at the time...it seemed as though the risk only affected me. The stakes are now higher. They affect people I love dearly. They affect comfort. They affect relationships. But they if they are driven by a clear calling...I must remember that "His ways are not our ways"...and that He has something big planned. That big thing may be for me, or it may be for someone else.

On another note: I am still trying to determine how I feel about "American Idol". Those people (contestants) seem to have their clear purpose in life concluded...and yet a panel of three can (and all of America can) clearly come to a different conclusion. I know I have blind spots...I just hope they are not that big!

Lastly...you have to watch this movie trailer. One of the funniest things I have seen in a while.

We're animals.

A good friend shared with me yesterday this wisdom.  

“When animals are hurt they do one of two things.  They hide or they attack.”

We as humans are really no different.  When we are hurt (by people)…we either hide ourselves and remove ourselves from the relationship or situation …or we lash out.  Sorry if you have received that from me.  More later…Scott