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

  

Hooters Priest?

“Lord…Please bless these overly revealing orange shorts, and all who wear them while serving cheese fries.”  

You have got to be kidding me?  I can’t believe I am posting this, but I also can’t believe I actually read this.  Check out this link to the Fox News site. (barely a credible news gathering source)  Then check out this guys thoughts on the “Jesus ate with sinners” verse.  Very interesting.  Have a good day.  

As a way of expressing Christian solidarity…DO NOT eat cheese fries today.  Wal-mart now sells buffalo chicken wings and popcorn chicken at the deli-counter.

What an amazing time.

Deanna and I had a great time in Florida. We got the chance to relax, visit the Magic Kingdom, see the fireworks, sleep in, relax, eat, eat and relax. God certainly went “over the top” on this experience. He has a way of doing that. This was a vacation that I am certain we will cherish for years to come.

Aaron got along fine. We tried to talk with him every day, but there were two days where he was having so much fun with Grandparents, he didn’t even want to talk with us. We took that as a good thing. No hurt feelings. Upon our return home, we enjoyed a nice weekend and “re-entry” officially hit today when we both went “back to work”.

Florida Bound

Well, I have waited to blog this...but here it is. Deanna and I are leaving on Monday for a five-day vacation in Orlando, Florida. Back in October, I won a trip to Disney World and surprised Deanna around Christmas time with it. Get this, I was at a conference (7,000 people) and won the trip because basically, I was the most enthusiastic... as voted on by the audience. (side note: the greek word "enthusio" which is the root word of "enthisiastic" means "God within") There were a rather interesting series of events that led the audience to their conclusion, but let’s just leave it at that. All we have to cover for the trip is the flight. What a blessing from God. Seems that the talents I have been given –while sometimes annoying to myself and others - come in handy at times.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19

Good stuff to hang your hat on!

Aaron and I had a blast together the other night. These fancy pudding cups were a hit. I can give you the recipe if you e-mail me.

I love my wife.

I love my wife. Deanna is having a birthday this week. It’s just a reminder to me of how much I love her. I don’t know what life would be without her…and I don’t want to know. I just wanted all of you to know. Here is a very old picture of us taken at the north pole (actually on Lake Michigan…but it looks like the North Pole). You can send her warm birthday greetings at deanna@kconline.com.

On another note:
All of us struggle. Ask yourself today…”Self, what is my struggle?”…and ask yourself if you have taken it to the healing hand of Jesus. Too many times I have not taken stuff to Him. But he tells us too when he said, “cast your burdens, onto Him, for he loves us all.” 1 Peter 5:7 He wants our problems to be his problems…so actually we can pray with confidence every day and say to Him…”God, you have a problem…and here it is.”

Did I miss it?

“The fact is that God often places desires in our heart (or people in our path) to compel (or propel ) us toward His plan for our lives.”    —Ben Ortlip

I love this thought.  The problem is that I often have my head down and find myself “naval gazing” …and sometimes I miss what He has for me.  I wonder how many people I missed today who needed encouraged?  

Scott

"New Year" thought.

O.k. so it has been since Christmas that I have blogged.  I kind of miss it.  I was shaving this morning and thought…I might like to become a writer.  But then again, I like people a whole lot…and sitting and typing all day doesn’t seem too fun.  Unless I’ve got a warm cup of Chai and some good music in the headphones.  Oh well…maybe I’ll try my hand at writing some day. Right now…I love being a Pastor!

“New Year” thought.
For many years, I’ve found myself in the months of December and January doing personal “Goal Setting”.  It’s a process that I really enjoy, but have often abandoned around April or May.  (I have a different plan this year)  I read this quote the other day (while contemplating my goals for 2006).  
“Modern culture seems to say: Prepare for everything to improve your odds of finding something.  Rather than stating a clear mission, it encourages us to simply to get up every day, wear clean underwear, cross our fingers and hope for the best.  You never know when opportunity may knock.”  
I want to live a life of purpose.  I want to live life “on purpose.”  I want to get up every day and lift up Christ.    John 12:32 says: “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."  I want to make it my mission (every day) to do more than cross my fingers and hope for the best. (Thanks Deanna for doing our laundry)  I want to elevate Christ.  I want Him to be seen and heard through me.  This is going to be a great year if I can do that!