Look at this Picture

I received this from Pastor Julie Smith...it states that the picture has not been touched in any way...God is SO AWESOME!!

When God Whispers

What seems so simple becomes life changing. What seems quite becomes loud. What am I talking about? I am talking about when God Whispers. Ever had that happen? You’re just sitting there and God speaks volumes to you without saying much at all. It’s so awesome. To know the God of the universe cares enough to say anything at all to you much less something that changes your perspective. He doesn’t shout. He doesn’t raise His voice. Why? Because both are a sign that the conversation is getting out of control…and we all know that God has never been out of control. My prayer is that you hear His voice today. But don’t be mistaken, it will not come loudly. Just read 1 Kings 19 and you will find out. Till tonight…come expecting!

Ok...so I'm still trying to get back in the Habit of Blogging

I just realized today that I haven't been blogging. My goodness. I am realizing how hard it is to get back in the habit. I guess I need to take my own advice and the advice of Nike and just do it. It is good to be back home. I enjoy traveling and I enjoy going and preaching in other churches...but make no mistake about it nothing compare to our church. Our worship is AWESOME and our people are the GREATEST. We are truly moving in a new place with our services. Keep coming Expecting and God will do GREAT things with all of us.

Waiting for Tomorrow

Hello Everyone! Long time no BLOG. I have been in Jacksonville and although my hotel had wireless internet...in our particular room the signal was so weak I could barely check email. Please forgive me for slacking off. I have missed blogging and having everyone respond. In fact, if you know me I have hated not having email on a regular basis.
As so many of you know we are having a Hurricane Katrina Relief Sunday Tomorrow September 25, 2005. For each person in attendance this Sunday we will be giving $5. I am praying that we packed the building OUT. This past week was AWESOME. Way too much to type but I am sure, knowing me, you will know soon enough.
See ya Sunday!

In Jacksonville

Hey Everyone from Jacksonville, FL. We arrived here safely yesterday afternoon and began the revival last night. God is already moving in powerful ways. I really missed being at CIOC yesterday morning. When Pastor Blake called and I was able to hear everything, I told Mike (Tyra's dad) man I miss being at our church. Thank God for the offering that Grace Conner gave us yesterday morning. I plan to talk with her today and see if she has any problem if we tell the amount. If not, I will let you know tomorrow....let me just say it helps out our building fund. Well that's all the time I have right now. Be Blessed.

Super Cool Person

I want to dedicate this time and place for all those who have survived Katrina. Those who refuse to give up. I also want to acknowledge all those who have helped in the recovery process for their untiring love and dedication. I want to recognize everyone at CIOC who will put forth every effort to pack the building out to capacity September 25 for Hurricane Katrina Relief. Thank you to everyone!!!

Items Needed

We are dedicating September 25 as Katrina Relief Day at CIOC. In addition to giving $5 for each person that attends services that day I have compiled a list of items needed for those who have lost everything. You can bring these items to church with you that Sunday morning and we will take them to the drop off site at Redemption World Outreach Center in Greenville, SC.
I am asking you to prayfully consider how you can help. We are offering you two ways to do this.
1) If you live in our area locally we are taking the following items. Diapers-all sizes, formula, feminine products, tarps & tents. Medicines: aspirin, iodine, rubbing alcohol, stomach medicines and contact lens solution.
2) If you would like to make a financial donation you can do so. Make checks payable to CIOC.

Thanks to all of you who are helping!

Sunday September 25th

Hey Everyone!! So many have been asking me about what our church can do concerning those displaced by Hurricane Katrina. These are the times that I am proud to be a part of a denomination. Why? Because what we are unable to do individually we areable to do corporately. As many of you know we are a part of the Church of God, Cleveland, TN denomination. Each month we give a total of 15% of tithe dollars to the Church of God for several reasons. (I will go into all that another day) Here is what we have been a part of so far:
Disaster Relief A.M. Update - September 13, 2005

9/13/05

Church of God Disaster Relief Daily Update

The Disaster Relief Command Center, located in the Communications Department of the International Offices in Cleveland, Tenn., has received approximately 250 calls. The outpouring of compassion from these callers is overwhelming. People are offering their homes, finances, labor and skills, job placement and life sustaining products.

Our toll free number is 1-800-323-7264.

***CONTINUED URGENT NEEDS***

1. Tents for housing non-evacuated survivors and on-site volunteers. Any size in good condition, but please no leaks or holes.

2. Food Canteens are needed at several sites to feed hot meals to survivors.

CALL NOW

1-800-323-7264

Disaster Relief efforts since the weekend:

Operation Compassion: * Delivered 36 trucks of disaster relief supplies - total trucks delivered in 11 days = 213 * Total Disaster Relief Sites: 45 * 24 sites distributing food, water, ice, blankets, etc. * 9 sites serving to house evacuees * 6 sites serving hot meals (some serve 1200 per meal) * 2 serving to stage and house volunteers * 2 sites with Medical Clinics * 2 sites serving as regional warehouses * 1 site Coordinating

* Approximately 7,500 volunteers working on site throughout AL, MS and LA * Colorado's Governor donated 2 semi trucks of relief supplies * Vermont's Governor donated 17 semi trucks of relief supplies

Chaplain's Commission: * 6 Chaplain/Volunteer teams leaving this week *Corporate Chaplain orchestrates donation of 40 pallets of disaster relief products

Men/Women of Action and People for Care and Learning: * On Site Command Post located in Biloxi, MS * Multiple teams on the ground working to clear debris * Approximately 100 volunteers on the ground * Continues disaster relief supply collection at Pathway Bookstore in Cleveland, TN

Ministerial Care: * Immediate Critical Counseling Hotline 800-762-5656 * Critical Incident Stress Management available on site when requested * Providing short and long term counseling for Ministerial families

Spirit Care: * Providing transportation for retired Ministerial families out of disaster zone * Help to provide specific needs of retired Ministerial families

Church of God Theological Seminary: * 1 Student team left Saturday for disaster center * 4 student teams will leave this week

Lee University - The Leonard Center: * Assessment Team comprised of 20 students and faculty visited Gulf Coast region * 200 students signed up for service trips to the Gulf Coast Region throughout the school year (probably 20 students at a time)
This area is updated twice a day. To see the latest news from the Church of God efforts go to www.ChurchofGod.cc and look at the latest news.

As you can see we have done a lot just by being a part of something bigger than us.

What we are going to do locally:

On Sunday September 25th our church has pleged to give $5 for each person that attends church that Sunday Morning. That's right $5 per person. (Let's do some math...100 people in attendance Sunday September 25th=$500 toward Relief Efforts.) So, I am asking all of you to PACK THE BUILDING OUT!!! All those friends you have tried to get to come see our exciting church...now is the greatest opportunity possible.

We are also planning, along with Bishop March Campbell's church (New Covenant Church of God), to take a team to a church hit by this hurricane and help rebuild. This effort will take several of our men and women so start planning TODAY. I will have more details to follow.

I will post tomorrow a list of items that are needed to be donated. Redemption World Outreach Center has brought several families from the hit area to the upstate. They are need of supplies. So, check back tomorrow for a list of things you can bring on September 25th.

We are having a Block Market Day on October 1st. This is a time for you to join with close to 30 other families in a day of food, fun, and live entertainment. You can bring all your yard sale stuff and buy a table for $5. Contact Julie Smith for a table. After the Market Day the Salvation Army will have a mobile there to take all unsold merchandise to help those families affected by Katrina. (don't you hate to have to bring stuff back home from a yard sale? Well, this day you don't have too...just give it to charity.)

As you can see, (I know this is long), but we are doing a ALOT!! So, join us in pray for those still struggling. Join us in Helping those who need our Help.

Matt 25:40

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
KJV

How are things going?

I know several of you read this blog and for that I am thankful. My blog today is one of a question to you. How are things going? Ask yourself this question. Knowing that we are talking about spiritual disciplines at church, what are you doing with this information? Are you reading more of the Word of God? Are you praying more? Or, are you just being more aware of what you are or what you are not doing? I hope a combination of all these. It is balance that brings true, lasting, effective change.
I am excited about tomorrow night! It is always a great time with Bishop Marc Campbell. I ask everyone who reads this blog before Wednesday night to say a little prayer today for the service. I know that if just a few will pray, God will do a great thing in all of us. So....till Wednesday night...take care and.......by the way, How are things going?

See ya

So what's the deal with Disciplines?

So what is the real issue with Discipline?
2 Timothy 3:1-7

Introduction:
How many of you have been watching the Katrina aftermath? I know that I am amazed at the devastation that has hit our country. I was thinking the other day, “Man we should have sent a shuttle or something up in the eye of that storm and break it up. (I saw that on a movie once. It was a storm but an asteroid but I thought hey if we can break up an asteroid just think what we could do with a bunch of clouds.) I know what you are thinking. Pastor you have lost your mind. Well, maybe so. It just amazes me how much we have progressed and yet how much we still don’t know.
Have you noticed that knowledge is almost unfathomable? I am so amazed, almost daily, of how much some people know. We are truly in, an information driven society. And, don’t misunderstand me, I love being able to, at any time, turn news on and find out what is literally happening all over the world. And, to not only hear it but to have color pictures that take you to the point of being there. Discipline is an ugly word in the world today. Many people spend most of their lives trying to achieve it without actually doing anything to achieve it. In fact, as we will learn this morning, we spend more time learning how to be disciplined than actually being discipline.

I. The Issue hasn’t changed
a. Satan began with pumping knowledge.
i. Gen 2:8-9
ii. Gen 2:15-17
iii. Gen 3:1-5
b. Things have not changed
i. We now have 10’s of thousand conferences.
1. Now I’m not against conferences.
2. They are an extreme source of encouragement.
3. The issue is what are we doing with all that we know?

II. So if things have not changed, how can we change?
a. Dietrich Bonhoeffer-a German Theologian, who’s prophetic voice showed us what it was like to be a Christian under Hitler’s regime. “
i. “When Christ calls a man, he bids come and die.”
1. Now I know all of your minds went to an old Hymnal called, Come and Dine the Master Calleth, Come and Dine.
ii. Jesus say in 3 of the Gospels, “Take up your cross and follow me.”
1. Cross-greek-exposure to death.

III. Finishing Well-Luke 14:25-ff.
a. God is not only interested in you starting the race but finishing.
i. And, not only finishing….but finishing WELL.

Cool Person of the Week

Have you ever thought what goes in to making a service happen? Most people who attend church will never know the planning, practicing, preparation that it takes to have a 1-2 hour service. It take so much time and effort not to mention people. So many people (even in a church our size) must do what is asked of them, go beyond the call of duty and selflessly serve others. One of those people is Russell Hopkins. Each service you can find Russell in the sound booth. He is there an hour before each service. He is making sure the music sounds right. He makes sure that when Andre hits the drums you can hear them. He makes sure that when I have a point to make you can hear it. In case you don't know it Russell is in charge of a 32 channel mixing board (if you're wondering that's like setting the volume on 32 radio's at the same time). In addition to that he maintains the churches computer system so that everything that is done in house can be duplicated to CD (if you have heard them lately you know they sound GREAT). On top of all that he makes sure the powerpoints are done. And if that's not enough he also maintains our website (awesome I might add) our bookstore (with help from April, his lovely wife) and puts up with me (someone who knows enough about sound to be aggravating and not enough to help). AND to top all that off...he is still not satisfied with any of it. He continually pushes me to make sure that what people outside of our church see and hear is done with excellence. He refuses to think that a small church can't have a LARGE church look. Sooooo join me and saying THANK YOU RUSSELL for all you do. We Love you, April and Jayden.

Why Water Baptism?

I have recently asked myself that question. So many are abandoning the practice of water baptism. So many churches are not even having a baptism pool placed in their new churches. So why are so many not obeying the Lord in Baptism? Is it because it's inconvient? Is it because it truly is a public display of an inward work? It is the first obedience to Christ. In several scripture we are commanded to follow the Lord in Baptism. So, here is what I've come up with.
1. Jesus did it. (Mark 1:9-10) 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

2. It' is commanded. (Matt 28:19) 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

3. It is an outward sign of an inward work. (Acts 8:36-39) 36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

Baptism is a spiritual practice. It is much like a funeral. It's a funeral for your old man and a resurrection for your NEW man. The next question is when do I need to be baptized? My answer would be as soon as possible after salvation. Also, some have asked me if they need to be baptized again. My answer is, If you question go ahead. You can never be baptized too much. And, being baptized again will hurt nothing. Just as some renew their vows of marriage you can renew your committment to Christ. If you would like to be baptized let me know PastorScottKing@aol.com

Ok...Here is the Notes from Wednesday Night

Several have told me that they like the fact that I give my notes to them. I really don't know what that says about them...cause I see my notes and I don't know how anyone can make much sense of them. But, here goes..Understand that Blogging doesn't transfer outline format.
I. Dream vs. Reality
a. Everyone has a dream
i. Everyone wants something
ii. Everyone desires for something
b. With every dream comes a cost
i. Things don’t just happen
ii. Everyone who has accomplished much has a system by which they have followed to get to where they are
c. The difference between Dreams and Reality?
i. Discipline
II. What is Discipline?
a. Webster-Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement
b. A systematic method to obtain obedience.
c. Matthew 22:14, For many are called but few are chosen
i. Chosen-Ek-Le-Tos, it’s the same root form as the greek word for church, eklesia. The called out ones, those who are out from the norm.
ii. it comes from the root that means-makes choices
1. From the root-
2. Ek-the point where motion begins
3. Lego-a systematic purposeful discourse
iii. Many are called but few make systematic choices and then moves to fulfill those choices they have made
iv. Word Study-
1. Discipline-a saving of the mind


III. Why Discipline?
a. 2 Tim. 1:7-For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
i. You have a spirit of power
ii. You have a spirit of love
iii. It is PRODUCED by SELF-DISCIPLINE

IV. What are the Disciplines?
a. The Inward Disciplines
i. Prayer
ii. Meditation
iii. Fasting
iv. Study
b. The Outward Disciplines
i. Simplicity
ii. Solitude
iii. Submission
iv. Service
c. The Corporate Disciplines
i. Confession
ii. Worship
iii. Guidance
iv. Celebration

Locked Out...and Having no Access Code

(This isn't going to be too spiritual but just thought you might like to know.)
Have you ever been locked out of anything? Maybe your car, your house, or in my case my satellite. Yes you read right....my satellite. I just hooked my receiver back up and whamo...don't know how it happened but somehow I locked myself out of the channel guide. Now I get nothing. I know some of you spiritual folks are saying, "Maybe God is trying to tell you something." Well, maybe He is. I have been locked out ofmany things but this one takes the cake. I have locked my keys in my car, Yes, with it running. I have locked myself out the house on several occasions. It feels awful. You can't do anything but sit and wait. Wait on someone to come help you out or figure out a way in. With my satellite it keeps asking me for a pass code. A code that apparently I set and forgot. A code that for the life of me won't come to mind. I feel like Charlie Brown (some of you have no clue who that is) when he always tries to kick the football and at the last moment Lucy pulls the ball away only to cause Charlie Brown to go flying through the air. He has never in the all these years been able to kick the ball. Well, I thought this wouldn't turn spiritual but leave it to a preacher to make everything spiritual. I have felt this way recently in my walk with God. You have too probably. You feel that there is somewhere in God you want to go but you don't have the access code. You don't know how to unlock those special places you hear everyone else talking about acessing. Well, I do know one thing, the scriptures promise us that if we search with our whole hearts we will find Him. I know that God is calling all of us to a new place. I know that this place isn't going to come just because we want it too. This place comes with TIME. Time with God. Time with His Word. Time in prayer. Simply put...TIME is our access code.

A New Kind of Altar

You have heard me say more than once or twice, "If you keep doing what you are doing, you will keep getting what you are getting." One man said, "If you don't like what's coming up, watch what you are planting." Today we learned about the life of spiritual maturity is one of moving from a land of slavery mentality to one of possessing the land in which God has promised you. To do that you must first move past the problems of ordinary life. Second you must move past the ordinary life of spirituality. Ordinary spirituality is a life of mundane. Walking through a life with God that is niether exciting or extravagant. Third you must move past the struggle of past failures. Failures are the anchors to our pasts. When you see failure as a stopping point you fail to move to the place God has promised you. You must see failures as an opportunity to learn from mistakes. John Maxwell calls this "Failing Forward" As long as those things that have not turned out the way you think they should have cause you to move forward in life you can, as Paul says, "Count it all Joy" Till next time.

Cool Person of the Week

Hey Everyone! I am so excited about announcing the cool person of the week. Ed is our cool person of the week. As if anyone didn't know Ed is a quite but AWESOME man of God. This past week despite his body hurting some he climbed up and down a ladder to paint the awning of the C2 Children's Building. And as many of you seen Wednesday night....It's AWESOME! Ed I want to say that it's a blessing being your pastor and I pray God's greatest and richest blessing on your life.

Are you Really Ready?

Have you ever thought that you might not be ready for what God has planned? I remember hearing a preacher say once, "If God showed you what He had planned for you, it would scare you to death." Recently, as we begin to really move toward God in our church, I find myself continually asking the question, "Am I ready?" I don't ask as an excuse to not more forward, but rather as an incentive to make sure that when God moves I move with Him. The Bible says concerning the children of Israel that were brought up out of Egypt. Ex 40:36-38
36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out--until the day it lifted. 38 So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels. NIV Again in Josh 3:1-4, 1 Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. 2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3 giving orders to the people: "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it." NIV Each time God gave either specific instructions or specific direction in following Him. Ask yourself, "Am I following after God in manner that causes me to be ready for what HE has planned for my life?" I am no TD Jakes but I feel that I must prophectically proclaim to you today, GET READY, GET READY, GET READY.

My Goodness

Can we all say a HUGE WOW? God is so Awesome! Each service is getting better and better! Let me encourage you to NOT miss a service! I can't wait till Sunday! We will be going back to Gilgal. If you missed last night let me catch you up because Sunday we will not have time to go backwards.
I. Israel had a promise of possessing the Land
a. Gilgal
i. 5 miles from the Jordan River inland
ii. 2 miles from Jericho
iii. Not the final destination
1. Place of refining
2. God has to prepare us for what he has prepared for Us.
a. Gota get you ready for what He has ready.
b. So that when you get there you don’t just visit but posses it
c. Live in the Blessing of the Lord
d. Increase
iv. Place of Rest
1. They encamped at GilGal
2. They set up camp.
3. If you never learn to rest you can never learn to enter.
4. You must rest in Faith WHERE YOU ARE AT.
5. Hebrews 3-They did not enter because
6. Hebrews 4-let us strive to enter into rest
7. Rest of Faith
a. You come to a place of total confidence that God is gonna work it out
b. Quit trying to fulfil your promise in your strength of your flesh.
c. Always looking for a pastor to promote you.
d. Your dream is not going to be fulfilled by the strength of your flesh but by your faith.
e. It doesn’t matter who is for me or against me…I am resting in God
f. Blessed with Success and Cursed by Ambition
i. Ambition is a killer in the Walk of Faith
ii. It will cause you to presumption
iii. Ambition will cause you to profess things you can’t possess
iv. Paul said, “Don’t let anything be done with selfish Ambition.”
v. Ambition will drive you nuts
8. Dangerous to make decisions when you are tired
a. After every battle they would go back to GilGal.