Pentecost Sunday!

Pentecost Sunday this coming Sunday! This is the birthday of the CHURCH and the out pouring of the Holy Spirit! As a Classical Pentecostal this is an exciting part of my spiritual journey every year! Our heritage was a blazing trial to our present, our present must burn as bright if we are to have a future ablaze...

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
Edmond Burke

YouTube - breakfast song

YouTube - breakfast song

New song for all to hear. Enjoy! This makes me look forward to the Rapture!!! No more pancakes...

Our Future Is Still Bright!!!

The historic meeting that just took place in Cleveland, Tn. is going to be one that changes the face of the denomination. However with this change I believe that our greatest days still are ahead of us and not behind us.
We have always been a life giving church and we will always be a life giving church. We have always been a church that loved our children and teens and this new step will not change that! We have taken care of our retired ministers and we will continue to bless them. Our Homes for Children will not go lacking, our missionaries will not be swept under the rug, our widows/widowers will not go without, and our educational facilities will still be on top!
We have some hurdles to jump, bumps in the road to endure, mountains to cross and storms to weather but in a church where "strong men/women still weep" we can go forward. The Holy Spirit is still the Flame that will be a lamp to our feet on this path in this new journey, the Bible is still the light to illuminate our way on these uncharted seas. I have heard some say that we are wrecking our own ship, that we are on the course for failure now but in my heart I still believe that the God of this church has us in the Palm of His Hand. We as a denomination must tighten our boot strings, and as two of our General Overseers have challenged us, march "Forward Together In Changing Times; Like a Mighty Army."
Scripture reminds us in Philippians 1:6, "... he which has begun a good work in you will be faithful to the end..." God is not finished with this church!

"I Dreamed a Dream"

Susan Boyle's time on TV has changed pop culture! She has just shown the world to NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER! We in the post modern world are superficial and this lady just busted our balloon! I really like the words of the song she sang, "I Dreamed A Dream."

There are times in our lives when the enemy wants to destroy or kill the vision/dream that God has given us. He wants to stop our destiny and destroy the plan that God has in our lives. I still believe that, "God gives us/places within us the desire of out hearts and it is His plan for those to fall into place! I want to challenge everyone who reads this not to allow the enemy to still your dream but to dream on.

"Dream as if you will live forever, live as if you only have today!"

Church of God

There are many things that the COG does that is questionable but there are more things that the COG has right than wrong. I wish we could focus on some of the good things that the COG does instead of all of the things that need fixing. We have a great church, a church that men and women died for, and a church that people have sacrificed for. Some of our men and women have given all they had to support the mission and vision and the purpose of the Church of God. In the April edition of the Evangel I saw pictures of the Church of God in Ethiopia baptizing new converts, I have been been blessed to have visited Kibera, Kenya and the Kibera Kids Center where the Church of God has a beautiful orphanage and are saving children from the horrors of the Kibera Slum. I have traveled to Trinidad and worshipped in COG Youth Camp with Trinidad's next generation of COG leaders as lives are changed. I have ministered, when I was a student at Lee University (a COG University), in the Mount of Olives Church of God in Israel and watched Palestinians worship God with all of there heart. I have been to Youth Camps, Winterfests, preached in churches across this country, worked with Men and Women of Action, passed out food with Operation Compassion, visited with two of the three COG Homes for Children in the United States where children are given a second chance, I have been to the widows center and seen widows lives eased from pain, and the list could go on...But I have said all of that to say this..."WE ARE DOING MORE RIGHT THAN WRONG." We are touching lives across the WORLD yet a handful of people are slamming the church that has mothered them, gave them shelter in storms, fed and clothed them, and educated them. WHY ARE PEOPLE STILL BEATING A DEAD HORSE? Why keep addressing problems that have been addressed like the tithe of tithe, State Offices in the red, etc. This administration has acknowledged the problem and are working on the problems. GIVE IT TIME to come to being. I am offended at those (even those who I consider friends) who call the tithe of tithe dues and taxes. Yes it is more than required by scripture but that has been acknowledged and is being hammered out. Those before us voted this in and it will take time to change it. It is not a due or a tax. It is a tithe and should be given as unto the Lord. After that it is up to the men and women who use this tithe to make sure that they are being good stewards of this money. If not they will stand before God for it and we will stand before God for the way we give it! "God loves a cheerful giver." I am offended at those who laugh and say that it is good news that a state office is going under and that our headquarters loosing $ is great news. That is sick and IMO shows a lack of spiritual maturity. It is never funny when people are struggling! Overseers, YD, EVD, and office staff have families and bills just like you and me. The statements of how funny this is or how great this is just shows a lack of compassion. Needed restructuring is on the way and we will see the first steps of it in September. Dr. Culpepper said he would report the restructuring in Sept. 09 and it would take place in Sept. 10. So why in the world are we still beating the tithe issue, the issue of state office and headquarter uses of the money, etc. This does nothing but stir up discord and give the enemy a place to sow his seeds in our hearts and churches. Let us unite and move forward together in changing times.

Psalm 23

For the past 12 weeks we have been studying the 23rd Psalm on Wednesday nights at church. I have been reading and using Keller's experiences as a shephered to help explain this Psalm in more relevant language. IF you do not have this book you are missing lots of good nuggets on PS. 23. This is a small, very easy read. Every pastor needs this book in their library. We (NWCOG) have loved this book and the study of the Psalm! Must read!!!

Destiny

I have been chewing on this subject recently. Most of my life I assumed that destiny was a place or a position for Scottie Hager. Destiny was a place I would go in life or a position that I would hold in life. As I have been chewing on this I feel as if my heart is changing.

Destiny is not a place or a position but is a place and a position in Christ. According to scripture "It is in Him that we LIVE and MOVE and HAVE OUR BEING!" If and when we as individuals find who we are in Christ then the rest of life just falls into place as He directs our steps. It is then and only then that we can live in the promise of God that says "no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind can know what God has in store..." I am searching for my place in HIM. I want to live in the place where I can expect the unexpected!

If you read my blog then I ask you to please pray for me! I have a stirring in my Spirit that has really shaken me.

Chapter 1

Calling???

One of the most powerful statements in this chapter that jumped out at me was on page34. It says, "God was choosing Paul for service not based on his ability at that moment. Rather, God called him on the recognition of his potential...what he could be and would be with God's help."

I love this statement.

I am also thankful that God see us not only for what we are but also for what we are going to be. I was just a 14 year old boy when I accepted my calling into ministry. Heaven knows that I was not ready for ministry then but I was ready, at 14, to give my life to the Lord so that he could begin a LONG process of making me. Even today some, 16yrs later, I realize more and more that ministry and life are not events but is a process that will mold me for my destiny in Him. If God is calling you then answer. He is not wanting to make it all happen right now, he just wants to start the process!

A Life Worth Living!!!

This is a must read! I bought it on Monday night at the SC Church of God Prayer Conference and have finished it. I have not been able to put it down. All ministers and laity alike need this book in their possession. I am going to be blogging each chapter this upcoming week as I start reading it again on Sunday.

Check out http://www.alifeworthlivingbook.com/ for more information and to order it. His blog which he is sharing with his sons is listed over on the side of my page. Check it out. I know you will be blessed.

Ministry in Postmodernism???

Postmodernism is a term that is being used to describe society. Postmodernism states that there is NO ABSOLUTE TRUTH. Truth is relative and is only what one perceives it to be.

It can be stressful to minister in this type of world. It is here that we see the church begin to implode. We have struggled to be relevant and have struggled evangelize. Churches are closing everyday b/c we have not attacked the situation. If anything we (the church) have fueled the fire of postmodernism with our statements and our workless faith. The world is telling society that God is dead, Postmodernism tells society that God is whatever you want it to be and the church for the past 20yrs or so have said to the world..."God doesn't move like He did in the good old days." We go onto say, "The power of God used to be so real in our churches and in our lives." What is this saying to society? What is this telling the postmodern world??? These statements tell society that they are right! God is dead and God is just whatever...This reminds me of Judges 2:10..."and there arose a generation after this that did not know the Lord and the works that He had done..."

It is "high time" to awake from this sleep that we have been in and be the Church triumphant!! Jesus said, "The gates of Hell will NOT prevail against the Church." We have stood around the Church and have defended it long enough. We must realize that we have not been called to defend the Church but to advance the Church. IT is Christ's job to defend it. He said that Hell would not prevail against it. He has called me and you to "GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!" You cannot go (advance) and stay (defend) all at the same time. We must tell the world that God still saves, sanctifies, fills with the Spirit, sets free from bondage, delivers, and heals. We must be a church that is full of signs and wonders. We have to tell a world that they can EXPERIENCE the God that we are serving and when they have tasted and see that He is good, they will come back and drink again! We must turn the postmodern question of "Who am I" into "WHOSE AM I"... "For it is in Him that we live and we move and we have our being.." Let us remember that if God be for us who can be against us...

The Lighthouse

In the midst of the waves of life we can be of good cheer b/c the lighthouse still stands.

The storms cannot rage so strong that its power will knock it down, the waves cannot crash and cause it to crumble. The winds will not blow so hard that the lighthouse will fall. This light house is a sure foundation. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is not weakened over time for He is boundless. He does not erode for he is faithful. He will not shift for He is eternal! And it is in Him that we live, and we move and we have our being. Praise the Lord for this Promise. As a child I remember growning up hearing and singing a song and the chorus goes like this...

"So let the storms rage high, the dark clouds rise, they won’t worry me for I’m sheltered safe within the arms of God; He walks with me and naught of Earth can harm me, For I'm sheltered in the arms of God."

Our storms may be overwhelming but we must remember the words of the Psalmist..."When my heart is overwhelmed...lead me to the Rock that is Higher than I."

Happy New Year ~~

For me 2008 was a rough year. One of the hardest I have had in my 30 years of living. Lots of personal situations that I had to work through came my way. During 2008 I had several decisions that were tough. One imparticular, that was one of the hardest of my life, has caused me to sit down and look at the paths that I have traveled and the one that I am on now, through a different lens. However, I do believe in my heart that I made the right decision yet I am to see the fruit of it.

This has been one of the "driest" seasons I have had to endure. Not only because of the drought that has crippled SC but b/c of the droughts I have faced personally. Yet through it all I have felt God's presence and know that rain is on its way. I heard Tim Hill sing a song once and the words have been in my spirit since. This song got me through October, November and December. The words go like this,

"The seed you planted deep has yet to grow. You've wondered when you'll reap the things you sow. How long has it been since rain last touched your ground? You've searched the skies, but then the rain just can't be found.

(chorus) But it will rain again. The fruit will fill the vine. The stalk will bend with wheat. The grapes burst forth with wine. So go into your field, your work is not in vain God promised harvest and I know it will rain.

So lift your head today and see the task. This rain will come your way if you will ask. Go build your barns, my friend prepare to store the grain. The clouds are coming in and I know it will rain."

Christ said, "In this world you will have tribulations; but be of good cheer, for I have overcome this world!"

I have said all of these things to say this. Let 2008 go! Focus on 2009 b/c...It will rain again! Christ in you, the Hope of glory has overcome!!!

Dream on!!!

I loved this blog post from Bishop Isaccs. Instead of writing about it I just thought I would paste it! POWERFUL thoughts that have stirred my spirit!!

Our Need To Dream BIGGER Dreams…Posted by Bishop Bill November 01, 2008 In 1999, I had just gone to North Georgia as State YCE Director and Carl Richardson came to our Winter Prayer Conference to speak. In one of the sessions he made this statement--"In order for you to go where God wants to take you, you must learn to dream bigger dreams and think bigger thoughts than you are thinking right now!" The words so resonated in my spirit that I was lost to the rest of his message and my mind began to wrap around the question--"how does one dream bigger dreams?" Later that day at lunch, I positioned myself near Brother Richardson and posed the question--"how do I dream bigger dreams?" He challenged me to consider spending time with people who I felt thought BIGGER than I did. He also encouraged me to consider possibilities that were beyond my perceptions. Looking back now, I consider those moments some of the pivotal moments of my leadership career.So, here is my question for you... Do you dream BIG dreams about your life, your family, your career, your marriage, your ministry? It is so easy to fall into the trap of settling for status quo--to take the easy road and stay where you are. Remember this, God did not prepare your life for status quo...He is calling you to greater heights and things that are yet still beyond your wildest imaginations! There is a new ministry waiting to be born in your spirit. There is a new plan for revitalizing your marriage if you are willing to take the chance. There is a new strategy for winning your family to Christ but you have to allow you present mindset to change...to grow..to dream! Almost every neat and cool thing you enjoy today was the result of someone dreaming an improbable dream of "what can be!" Sometimes when I fly a commercial airplane and feel the lift of the jet off the ground, I wonder--"did Orville Wright and his brother Wilbur imagine this would be the result of their dreaming?" The list is endless of dreamers who dared to challenge the status quo and consider the possibilities of what could be. There will always be the critics who will ridicule your dreaming and think it is unwise or ill-advised but they are merely distractions...you have to keep dreaming--despite your detractors!Author Jim Collins (Good to Great) recently said in a conference I attended that good leaders need some "white space" time on their calendar without a phone, a PDA, a computer and interruptions. Each leader needs time to dream, to imagine, to think and to consider what could be. In those moments will come the ideas that change your world. He's right and good leaders will have to fight for those moments but we never regret them because our souls were made to dream, to imagine and to consider. Our Creator God is Himself a dream, a person of imagination. I know because I see from my window today the fruits of His imaginative thought--a tree that grows from a seed to heights of more than 25 feet, a squirrel who can leap and jump from limb to limb, the steam that rises from the melting frost which lays upon the grass, etc."When your memories exceed your dreams, the end is near." -Michael HammerTake some time this week and make a list of your dreams, those thoughts and imaginations which seem beyond your reach...write them down and tuck them away in your Bible near the verse Matthew 19:26--"With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Dirty Hands!

"He's still working on me. To make me what I ought to be. It took him just a week to make the moon and the stars; the sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient He must be...He's still working on me."

The words of this song still ring in my ears! A song that I learned in Children's Church years ago still hold true. I recently attended the Eastern Campmeeting for the Church of God in SC and The Perry's www.perrysministries.com/2007A/about.html were singing! They sang a song titled "The Potter Knows the Clay" which grabbed my heart strings. I was reminded that "He is the Potter and I am the Clay." While they sang they showed a video. In that video there was a picture of a potter's hands working on clay. In that picture I noticed that His/her hands were very dirty. I have been thinking/chewing on this for a while and I am thankful that His hands are still getting dirty not just in my life but for all of humanity.

I remember from scripture that a crowd was ready to stone a lady who was caught in the act of adultery when Jesus showed up and wrote something in the dirt (His hands got dirty), I am reminded that at the healing of a blind man, Christ spits in the dirt makes a clay and wipes it in the blind man's eyes (His hands got dirty), Jeremiah reminds us that the potter "crushes" the clay at times to start over (His hands get dirty). I could go on and on but I think you get the point. This past Sunday two people came down to the altar and gave their hearts to Christ. The young couple wept and I know that His hands were dirty as He crushed the clay! In my own life the potter still has me spinning me on the wheel and is working on me. The past few months of my life have been difficult (spiritually, emotionally, and mentally). Yet I am convinced that it is just the potter making me, crushing me, and starting over in me that I might be used for His glory. I am open to whatever the potter wants to make out of me as long as He gets the glory. I am seeing some victorious days now and I am thankful that the Potter knows the Clay!

Praise the Lord that His hands still get dirty for humanity and that He is still working on me!!!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOO Cocks!!

This game is the hardest game of the year on me. I grew up in the years before SC was ever in the SEC and have always pulled for the Vols and the Gamecocks. The two teams rarely met on the field prior to Carolina's entrance into the conference. I had the best of both worlds! I could sing Rocky Top and 2001 all at the same time. Then in 1992 South Carolina entered the SEC and I began to have a hard time. I have Tennessee sweat shirts, watches, etc. But I also have Carolina sweat shirts, watches, etc. Last year the Vols beat the Gamecocks in overtime in Knoxville. (Melissa, Nolan and myself were all there) After such a heart breaking loss last year I decided that I was going all out for the Cocks this year! I am forever thankful that I did. Tough game for the VOLS but...Go Cocks. We will wait and see about next year. Prediction...Fulmer's back next year!

The BIG 30~

Today has been my 30th birthday! I thought that I would have a hard time with it but it has not been to bad. Millions have already turned 30 before me and made it! I too will make it! Lots have happened since my last post...Bowden fired at Clemson, Garcia the new QB at USC, Fulmer in the Hotseat at Tennessee, the financial system of the U.S. on a roll-a-coaster, my dad turned 50, and I made butter and butter milk with a widow in my church. Many other events but too many to name!

I took some time this morning to look over my life. I learned that the past 5 years I have been allowing life to live me instead of me living life! That is going to come to an END! I am going to take more time for my family, my friends and for myself. It is TOO easy to allow the ministry and the church become the priority instead of what really matters. I have a great wife, wonderful son, and the best parents and grandparents a man could ask for!!

Yesterday and today has been the the SC Church of God State Ministers meeting. It was really nice to see friends from all over SC that I only get to see a few times a year. These men and women have become like family to me. I truly love our ministry family in SC. Melissa and I are excited to be elected onto the SC Church of God Youth and Christian Education Board again. For the past two years we have served on the Board of Directors of the Church of God Home for Children. We are going to miss serving the students and the Superintendent (Roger and Pam Childers) but look forward to the future. We both love the ministry of the Youth Department and look forward to working with our new youth director and his wife. (Greg and Becky Copley)

I will be blogging tomorrow so check back later. Happy Birthday to Chad Putnam (my brother in law also turning 30) and Debra Perkins Harris (life long friend also turning 30) tomorrow! Pray for a couple of friends of mine Scott and Tyra King as they are going through a rough place in life right now. There baby was born premature and they all need our prayers!

Serving Him...Scottie

Hurricane Ike...

What is going thru her mind in this picture...

You write the caption...

Pray for all of those in Galveston and those in the Gulf Coast!!!

The General's Book

If you are a pastor and have not picked up a copy of the General's book then you need to!

This book not only assists the pastor in structuring a church but it is also a fire starter. I could almost see and hear Dr. Culpepper's father as he wails in prayer at the altar of that old country church! I could almost hear the urgency in his voice as he looks at Dr. Culpepper and says,

"Son, you have lost the edge. You began as a pastor with a big dream, but it has been rough. Your heart is beaten up. You're discouraged. You are busy, but not very effective. You have learned to act like a preacher but you're empty. You've lost your burden for lost people. Your prayer life is in trouble. No tears punctuate your preaching. You're not hungry for God like you used to be. You know how to say the right things and push the right buttons; but like Samson who shook himself, you don't know the Spirit is gone. The anointing is not fresh. Your fire has gone out. You have left your first love. You must get the edge back."

What a word. I have felt just like the words that the General's father uttered to him. Empty, busy, not effective, tearless, shaking myself and not finding the Spirit! WOW! I love the transparency of Raymond Culpepper. I pray to God that we the Church of God will rally around one another and help each other through these "pit" times in life. I have been so busy working for God that I failed to simply serve God. To act as a waiter and serve Him with my praise, self discipline, worship, fasting, reading, meditating, etc. As the elder Culpepper said, "you must get the edge back." We as ministers of the Church of God MUST GET THE EDGE BACK. Attitude reflects leadership. If I am not Serving God, (as mentioned earlier) but am always just busy and non effective then I am training God's people to do and be the exact same thing. Therefore we birth a generation that is like those who we can read of in Judges 2:10. "...and there arose a generation after them that did not know the Lord nor the works He had done..." God Have Mercy!!! Help and Forgive as we have grown cold and continue to try to do Your work with our might and power instead of by Your Spirit. Rebirth us that we may become, "Like a Mighty Army!"

VOLS loose in OVERTIME!!!

The Vols beat themselves in L.A.!

Three missed field goals and not holding onto the stinking football is NOT the way to win games! The offensive line is not looking good, and the new quarterback is struggling to hit a moving target! The defense seemed to be dog tired in the forth quarter. Might need some extra conditioning! I hope this is not a l- o- n- g year.

I have nothing else to say.