Wet Soul, Dry Ankles

haircut

sbid11@gmail.com — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 15:37:00 +0000

Indiana Pacers Night Out

sbid11@gmail.com — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:07:00 +0000

We were given free tickets to go to the Pacers game last night. We drove an 2 and a half hours to get there and the same back. We had a blast. We started out in the balcony, when a gentleman, also known as an Angel to Tauni, that gave us upgrade tickets to the floor level. We went from $15 seats a piece, to $125 seats a piece. It was crazy awesome. So much fun. Check out the pics and video.

Pictures from the night.

A video of Michael after the game all hopped up on Cotton Candy and Pepsi.

What's next?

sbid11@gmail.com — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:42:00 +0000

There has been some praying going on in our family. Ok, a little more than usual in that we are wondering what is coming up next. As most of you know, we are living with a family that has graciously extended part of thier home so that we could have a bit of a transition time. This was/is not a permanent move, so we are really trying to understand what God wants us to do next.

We basically have residence 45 min to an hour away from where most of our lives are lived. It has been very difficult on the kids, seeing as though it seems that they have gotten a bit of Tauni's car sickness passed down to them. We are traveling back to Columbus/ Delaware 4-6 times a week.

God's call on my life has not changed. There is no doubt that as I continue to bring the Word of God, that the Spirit seems to be getting stronger. The problem that we are running into is that I am not speaking enough/paid enough to continue in the exact same way that we have been going. Financially, things need to change for us.

I have had ideas and thoughts about how to handle this, but maybe a little fear and self pride stand in the way. When we first started on this journey, God promised He would take care of us.

The one way that I have been processing for awhile has been the idea of raising personal support for the ministry. I need a church or organization that would be willing to take this on as an endeavor and be willing to accept all the money and then turn around and support me. I would also have to approach friends and family for the financial support.

I could ask Churches to support me as a missionary as well. My home church, Water of Life, does this already with a monthly stipend.

I could begin, and have a little already, to charge a certain amount to go around and speak. It is something that I have steered away from for several reasons. I am afraid it will keep me from being able to bring a message to places because they can't "afford" me. I am also afraid that I will speak less, and I want to be able to do that as much as possible.

I believe that it has been hard for me to do this because I do not speak because of money, but because of the call God has placed on my life. But if it is going to be something that I can live from, I need to support my family, and maybe I cannot accomplish both with the same task.

It may be time for me to get a second job, part or full time, to help pay the bills. I know that this seems to be the most logical, but that doesn't make it any easier. I know that God told me to quit my job, and that he would take care of me. I have "worked" very hard to not "help" God out over the last couple of years.

I am asking you to pray for our family. We are trying to figure out a lot of things, and they all have to intertwine in many ways.

What is the final job/ ministry going to be?

How much is Speaking involved in it?

Where are we going to live?

What are your thoughts and ideas? What is God laying on your heart?

Scott

Speaking update

sbid11@gmail.com — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:02:00 +0000

Wanted to give some new dates for speaking coming up.

Feb. 5-7 Quaker Haven Camp

Jr High and High School

July 19-23 Camp for a church in Cleveland

Continue to pray God will fill the schedule. If you know of anyone looking, or just want to bring me in to speak, email me and we can work on something.

Scott@ScottBiddle.com

Christmas Sermon Series

sbid11@gmail.com — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:16:00 +0000

Come check out the line-up of speakers for Christmas this year at Water of Life.

Stretch Heads

sbid11@gmail.com — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 02:18:00 +0000

Check out Michael and I as we have some fun tonight.

chided

sbid11@gmail.com — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:04:00 +0000

I was chided tonight from my grandma for not writing lately. It seems as life has been very crazy. I will hopefully go into deeper explanation of things later but here is an update.

Bug infestation

communication issues

lonely feeling

Revival in Michigan

Buckeyes clinch Big Ten Championship

Stepped on a nail

Hit a deer

Thanksgiving

when I write about these, they will be post dated.

so much change, so little time

sbid11@gmail.com — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:27:00 +0000

here have been a lot of things that have been going on in the life of the Biddles, and it is so hard to put them all down.

Our trying to understand what God is doing has not been cleared up yet. We are still waiting on a firm answer from God.

I am debating, and leaning toward, getting a part time second job. I have a revival lined up for the second week of November in Lupton, MI, and yet nothing else is seemingly opening up at this time. I am starting to wonder if this door is closing. The lack of chances to bring God's word has been very difficult to understand.

I met with a gentleman, Jeff Pinkleton, from Springfield, who was a connection of David Mabry's, that leads a "ministry" called "The Gathering" which helps to support and encourage men. I was meeting with him, I thought, to get some leads on some possible job stuff, and yet it might lead into helping with the speaking stuff. I am not real sure right now. It was a good meeting and got a contact with a song writer, worship leader from Springfield, which I am hoping to connect with in person soon.

Michael has been sick a couple of times, Tauni has felt somewhat under the weather, Zoe and I have just been a little tired.

We are still trying to find a groove, and not sure if that is gonna happen or not. The question has arisen whether I am suppose to get into a groove. That sounds very uncool right now, seeing as I think it would help tremendously.

Michael has been very active in preschool, and I believe he enjoys it. When I ask, he says no, but when he comes out of class he seems to have had a good time and loves showing us his artwork he has made. He has already hit his teenage years of not wanting to talk to us sometime. He say, "stop talking to me. I'm not talking to you anymore", and then grunts when we talk.

Zoe has been doing better at her colors. I was afraid there for a bit that she was color blind, because she just couldn't get it. I'm still not totally convinced, but feeling better.

I am sorry that I have neglected to keep the updates coming, it has just been a whacky couple of months.

Scott

Why God?

sbid11@gmail.com — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:00:00 +0000

Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009

I am in a place of wondering what God is doing. We have moved out to Cable, Ohio, into the home of Michael and Christy Will, the pastor of Mount Carmel Friends Church. (If you are google mapping it, you will have to put in the zip code of 43009) It is a very rural area, in between Marysville, Urbana and Bellefountaine. We have lived here as a family, for the past 5 days. It has been an odd transition, and not sure what God has in store.

I have been looking at our situation, and all reasoning has told me that we should still be living in Columbus. We are able to live here without having to pay rent, so hoping to pay off some bills. I have been thinking of getting a second part time job, and that would be better in Columbus. Our church and Michael’s Preschool are in the Columbus area. So the money that we are spending on gas is going to be in the same neighbor as the cost as rent.

I am sitting back and it just doesn’t make sense to Tauni or I, and yet we are confidently sitting in the palm of God’s hand knowing that He has called us to this place, physical and spiritual.

I have been thinking about why it is so difficult to be in the place, mentally and spiritually, that we are. My first issue is that I am feeling a little purposeless right now. I need to have something to do, and my schedule is not exactly filling up the way I was hoping and believing it would.

The second I am not ready to put into words.

Scott

thoughts @ dream

sbid11@gmail.com — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:50:00 +0000

My last post was about a dream that God gave me. And I left it by saying, what was God saying? To get caught up, read What God?

I believe it was about a couple of things. I have been called and sent to rescue those in the darkness. There will be some encouraging, and some lifting up and some knocking out of the “guards” that are posted to keep them down. Some will get out, some will not. I am not responsible for the action others take, but am to do what God has called me to do. I cannot force anyone to get up and leave the darkness, but I will do my best to lead in the right direction.

I also know that there will be an upset enemy that will do everything he can to attack the one that beating him at his game, and I will be attacked. The ones I am freeing will not have the strength or understanding to turn around and help fight off the attacks that are coming, especially as I am only around for a short amount of time.

And lastly, I woke up to early. Though I know that I cannot expect those being freed around me to stick around and fight with me, I know I have people around me that are with me, fighting with me, praying for me, and that is why I can continue to do what God has called me to do. Only through the support of my family and friends can I keep going, and have the energy and freedom to do so.

Thank you so much for doing all that you do, for fighting and protecting me, and giving guidance when you see God calling for it. The victories that I am seeing in my ministry are just an extension of your ministry.

Scott

Heading Home

sbid11@gmail.com — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:14:00 +0000

So, I am ready to head home. I have accomplished my task of delivering Scott and Karen safe and secure to Portland, OR and carried a few boxes here and there, and am past the point of missing my family very badly.

As I was playing Wii this morning, I realized that I hadn't played Wii with Michael for awhile. It was something we did together for a while, and we have slipped from that time. I have missed the couch(wrestling) time with my kids. I miss holding my wifes hand. What I am trying to say, I can't wait to get home.

The trip has been awesome, and I will probably never experience the trip that I just took ever again, and I loved it. But I am feeling very purposeless, and am ready for it to be done.

pictures from the trip

sbid11@gmail.com — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 05:12:00 +0000

Here is the link for pictures so far.

http://picasaweb.google.com/sbid11/CrossCountryTrip02?feat=directlink

Pictures of the Day

sbid11@gmail.com — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:33:00 +0000

Laney Elizabeth Biddle. This pic was sent while I was on the road.

I had a chance to stop in and see Grandma Weinbrenner on my way through Iowa yesterday. It was a good 20 minutes or so. Dusty sent a picture of Laney Elizabeth just as I was telling her she had another Great Grand Daughter.

map

sbid11@gmail.com — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:08:00 +0000

This is a map of our trip through tonight.

Map

View Cross Country Trip in a larger map

On the road

sbid11@gmail.com — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:35:00 +0000

Well, I am on the road now. I am on a cross country road trip, helping to drive some friends of mine as they move from Columbus, OH out to Portland Oregon. It has been a good day. We started out by loading up the truck and cars, and were on the road around 1:00 or so. It was a rough lead up to leaving because there were a lot of things happening at home that was making it hard for me to want to leave.

Anyways, the first picture if of us leaving Ohio. The second is pointing out Michigan St and Ohio St exit in Indianapolis, and the third is what I had to look at all day as I drove the Lowe's vehicle.

We made it to East Peoria, Ill. and are getting ready for driving 550 miles tomorrow.

The rest of my family, who I am missing very much right now, is at some friends house in Cable, OH. Today, as my friend explained to me on the all important facebook, they had a great pillow fight, and have been tickled. Michael told me on the phone that Zoe went potty on their trip to their house.

What God?

sbid11@gmail.com — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:38:00 +0000

I was going into an underground tunnel to rescue some people from danger. As I was running in, I could see a closed door and yet there was sunlight coming from around the outside of it. I yelled at them to run toward the door and open and run out, but they coward in fear together. They saw the men that were standing there guarding the door and the hallway. I told them to follow me, I helped them to their feet, and ran at the guards myself. I threw myself at them, knocked them down, and opened the door. Some of the people escaped, while others stayed inside for fear of what would happen if they tried. As I was through the door, I was tackled by 3-4 of the guards. They were not able to really harm me, like broken bones or kill me, but they were doing something to the effect of pinching me with their whole hand. The thing was, I knew that it wasn’t life threatening, and yet it did hurt. One of the escaped prisoners came to help for a moment, but then rest just ran off with the rest of them. I was left to deal with the pain myself, alone.

Then I woke up with the sensation of pinching all over me.

This was the night that I went to bed feeling as though I had been in a war, spiritually, at camp.

What was God saying through this vision that he gave me?

Scott

The War Zone

sbid11@gmail.com — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:06:00 +0000

As Thursday night came to an end, I felt like I had been through a war. I went back to the room, tired mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically. It was as if I was all beat up, unable to concentrate or focus anymore, and yet know that the victory flag of God was raised all over camp.

I was going into evening chapel that night a little unsure of what was going to happen. scripture that said exactly what God was wanting to say, but was not practiced up or organized as much as I wanted to be. I had ideas of different things I could do, but not a final plan. It is nerve racking for me to go in not knowing what is going to happen, what to say exactly, have my stories lined up, and points set out, but as it has happened in the past, God shows up. Not because I am unprepared, but going in God ordained. It doesn’t make it any easier before, or during speaking, but when I know it is God, I just have to go with it.

I started and knew that I was going in the right direction, and yet felt like I was struggling with coming up with the next thought and where I was going. I wasn’t sure if the teens were tracking where I was at or going. I was tired, felt like I was failing, and yet I kept going. As I finished I played a video of the first Passion ONE Day of the song “Wonderful Cross”. I went to the back, and thought, “that was horrible”. I was feeling empty, like I tried to give everything, but nothing came out. It wasn’t in a neat little package.

I invited them to come to the front and kneel at the cross that was painted on the front wall. And it wasn’t happening. Nothing was happening, except a video being shown. Then, 4 girls got up and went forward. 2 counselors joined them to pray. I asked the assistant director of camp if he would mind going up and playing his guitar while whatever was happening happened. The video ended. Justin sat up front with his guitar and sang, unplugged. I sat back and just watched. Another counselor got up and went up front and sat by himself and began to worship, and a few from his cabin followed. Another counselor went forward, and a few from his cabin went up. They were sitting there just worshipping God in their own way.

I had a chance to pray with a young lady that evening. There was a visual right in front of me as I entered the room, of spiritual warfare. One student praying for another. One going to bat and leading the other. The other not knowing what or how to accommodate what was being spoken, just reeling from past experience, and self doubt. The kids had fallen asleep while I was speaking, which was the first time all week, luckily, because I had a chance to ask Tauni to come in and pray as well. She was in her element that night, and it was able to also bring a strength to me. God brought a peace that night to this young lady, and brought an end to the pain that she was feeling in a different way then how she was masking it before. She is not yet a follower of the King of Kings, and though the peace that she felt might be short, she still got a glimpse of the light, and I will continue to pray for her. I know that there was victory, maybe not in the way that sometimes we think of, but we need to learn that we cannot make someone else think or do as we want, they make their own calls, we can only point out the truth in love, and yet sometimes very pointedly. We have to let God sort those times out for us.

I rejoined the worshipping, as it had continued the entire time I was away. It ended within a few minutes of coming back. As I look back, it was as if they were using worship as a guard for what God was doing somewhere else, without even knowing it. I sent them talk over and share what God did or was doing in them that night and for the week.

That evening, as I saw the young lady I prayed with earlier, there was a new fire in her eyes, a lightness that I hadn’t seen all week. It was a relief, and yet I know that the fight is not over. The peace will only last for a certain amount of time, until she receives the Power of God to withstand the darkness.

As I talked with a few people and told them how bad I felt about the message I gave, because I still didn’t feel good about it, I was reminded by 2 campers as they walked by and said, “good talk Scott”, that it is not that I feel good about it, but that God uses it, and those around me that he chose for me to minister with.

And as I went to sleep that night, I knew that “I fought the good fight, I finished the race, I kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7) of Challenge Camp ‘09, Boot Camp style.

Scott

Leading of God

sbid11@gmail.com — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:03:00 +0000

Yesterday was a very quiet day. I mostly sat around, layed around and surfed the net from late morning till dinner, of course eating lunch in there somewhere. Very relaxing, which is not always the case.

Last night I spoke to the teens about a radical obedience. The fact of needing to follow God exactly the way that He has called us to. We are always able to come up with millions of reasons why we shouldn't, but we it is God, and He has our best interest in mind. I had them close their eyes, and think about a situation or group that they know God has been asking them to be obedient to, and if they had some that they needed a push, or that they know they need to be obedient, to simply open their eyes and look at me. Just about all looked up at me. I then felt that I was suppose to give them a chance to come up front, and have the camp staff and counselors pray for them. Some of the staff came forward, and not one teen came up. I decided not to be discouraged because it was God who asked me to offer, and I did what I was suppose to do. I asked the counselors to reach out their hands toward the campers, and I prayed.

As I sent the campers and counselors off to cabin time to discuss what God was speaking and doing in their lives, I stayed in the room and just sat in the front row. I was still reeling from speaking, which is a good thing, and knowing that there was something wrong, just began to pray for understanding. There has been a good connection with the teens all week, and God has been moving, so the lack of coming up front was particularly disturbing to me. It is not something I do all the time, just when I feel I am suppose to offer.

I looked to the back of the room and saw the 3 directors still sitting in the same spot, and praying.

It began to feel like there was a lid on top of the campers, and it wasn't lifting off. Like one more layer to get through. He continued to show me that we are dealing with a number of campers that have grown up in the church, and are more than likely leaders in their youth group, and that they have more than likely created this facade of themselves and they are not able to break that. They have been duped into believing, just as I was a teenager, and even into my adult life, that I had to look like I had it all together all the time to be a leader. I was looked up to and put on a pedastel by my peers, and I had to live up to it.

In came a friend of mine, that had been on staff for a number of years at Camp Gideon, busting the door open. It was more like just opening a door, but in the midst of what God was doing, it seemed more like busting. He came in and said a few things to the directors quietly and made his way towards me. I was still under the influence of what God was doing, and yet went ahead and asked him how he was doing. I was listening the best that I could, and yet still looking to the directors to see where they were at, and believing in my heart that this was a distraction from what God was doing. Nothing sinister or wrong on his part, just timing wise, God was doing something and he came in. Next, another person "burst" through the door, someone that is on staff for the summer, but was not working this week, and came to the camp for the first time last night. I knew that the two could not be a coincidence.

I looked at my friend and apologized to him and asked if he would join us in some prayer. I brought him back to the directors along with the other person and asked if they would all pray with me. I explained what God was doing and where I believed he was going, and we prayed. It was a great prayer time.

Through this, I was able to see what I am suppose to talk about tonight. Having such a short notice and prep time, I was not prepared for tonight, but God revealed it in His time.

Once we finished praying, I apologized again to my friend for interupting our conversation, but I could not fully concentrate on him until God was finished doing what He was doing.

The camp director later told me that she knew God was doing something and that she knew we had some distractions trying to get us off track.

This leading and understanding is not something that happens real often, but when it does, I pray that I can continue to realize it and not have an ADD moment and tune it out.

I am pumped to see what God has in store for this night, and how He is going to work.

Scott

camp catch up

sbid11@gmail.com — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:43:00 +0000

It has been a good start to "Boot Camp". My family and I arrived this past Sunday evening after an awesome service at church on Sunday, with a combo service of our three congregations put together.

We arrived around 5:00, ate dinner with the staff, and registration for the campers was at 6:00. I had a short intro to the week Sunday night and then the fam and I went swimming with the students Sunday night, while it was dark.

Monday morning, devos in the morning and sent them to spend some time with God. Played ultimate frisbee late morning, lunch and then swam in the afternoon. In the evening I spoke on the point, which is where God has been pointing me to ever since I knew I was speaking, of being created not as an individual, but as a unit. In boot camp for the armed forces, they come in and are given clothes that look the same, same hair cut, live together, eat together, where one messes up, they all pay. They are in essence, one. Like it or not, there is no such thing as individuals, which is kinda ironic since that is the way life is described in the rest of America. We are all out to get ours, not worrying about other people around us. As I finished, I was not sure if I was finished with the topic yet or not, and am still not sure. We will see what the rest of the week holds.

Tuesday morning, devos and quiet time. Tauni, Michael, Zoe and I went to visit with the Kings for the afternoon. We hit a closed road on the way there, and had to make up the trip as we went with no map, but I love that kind of thing. Of course, we were thinking that spending some money on a GPS wouldn't be such a bad thing since we travel so much. The Kings treated us like kings, and we appreciate their friendship. We are hoping they will come visit us here at the camp another time this week. On our way home, both kids were so tired that they fell asleep, before we even made it out of Alliance.

We got back to eat some Pizza, and then speak again. Last night I spoke on Radical Trust. Do we really trust God with our lives? Will we entrust our lives to God's church family? Will we serve God by serving others around us? And the participation factor is so huge in those. As I walked away that evening, I felt empored and on fire from God. It was great.

Tauni, the kids and I took a stroll over to the Snack Shack for, you guessed it, and then went to do some star gazing. It was pretty cool. Late night for the kids.

This morning, breakfast, devos, quiet time and then the kids went back to the room to watch a movie while I did some internet stuff. Lunch, then nap time, because of last night being so late.

We are now back to now, and looking forward to what else God has in store.

Scott

Ministry, past and future

sbid11@gmail.com — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:12:00 +0000

Ministry has been something that I have been doing ever since jr. high in some ways, and even before that.

Ministry is doing what God has asked us to do, to Love God and Love others, and to show others how to do that.

I believe that God has called us all to ministry, and given some the opportunity and calling to do it, and luckily get paid for it. Ministry has taken on a number of looks for me in the last several years, and I have to admit, I have no idea what it is going to look like tomorrow, but I do know that I will always be involved in ministry.

This past week, I spent some time in Montana, at a camp called Beartooth Mountain Christian Camp, where I had the pleasure of spending time with the band and worship leader, Joseph Barkley. Joseph is an Associate Pastor at Ecclesia Hollywood, where he is teacher and leader of music and worship, and also travels to put on concerts and lead worship at different events.

As I look at where God is moving, what I know is this, that God has given me gifts and talents, a passion, and what I believe a mission to challenge the Church, those in it and yet to be in it, to love God and love people. This is a passion for the big Church, not just a local church, but also believe that I have been, for the past couple of years, entrusted with a desire for community, in which discipleship and evangelism are synonymous, because they happen so naturally in this atomosphere.

Some of the clarification of what lies ahead for me, that I am getting as of this point, is coming as a result of a couple of different things. I believe that I have been listening to God the best that I can and obeying, even the smallest details, to stay within listening distance to Him. Talking with Joseph and seeing what he is doing, a pastor and traveling musician, has given me an opportunity to see that this kind of relationship works, if you find the right place for it. To be able to use the gifts and talents God has given me in the local church, and then that same local church having a sence of calling to "send" me out to the Church.

I cannot say that this is definitely where God is leading, but I believe that God is clearing out those fears that I have, to at least put them back on the table. As I spoke for Super Summer Jr. High last week, I ended with my defining message for the last couple of years, "Water Walking", and gave to God my fears of church ministry. He is clearly cleaning the "cobwebs" that have formed in the past, and forcing me to face them.

I know God is doing what is best for me, and I am feeling very open to where he is leading right now.

Scott

Great Rest, New Challenge

sbid11@gmail.com — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:06:00 +0000

It was a great weekend. I got to spend time with the fam. First, just with Tauni, Michael and Zoe for the first 24 hours or so. It was great. Zoe wanted to play with me on the couch(wrestle), and Michael wanted to wrestle, then go and ride his bike without training wheels, which we started before I left for Montana last week. He is doing a great job. I just have to keep up with him to keep a lookout for cars all around him in the parking lot of our apartments.

We then went over for spagghetti, with my parents, Eric and Jenny, Dusty and Kirstin. We took a dip in the pool and ate some Sno Cones. It was a nice evening.

Church, sound system problems, great worship, Barret leading with wisdom and Hebrew, the sermon was awesome, and then a church picnic. Good to be at home and back with my community.

I got a confirmation just a couple of hours ago that I will be speaking at Camp Gideon at their Challenge camp for those coming out of 7th-9th grades. It is a challenge because I spoke there last year, which means I only have 6 days to prepare 4 messages that match their theme of "Boot Camp". I am up for the challenge, but also have several other things that I have already planned to do, one being "Red, White and Boom" in down town Columbus on the 3rd.

I am pumped about being able to take my family again this year. It was a blast for them last year, and this year they will not have to take naps, which will give them more time for all the good times.

Please pray for fresh eyes, a ready heart, and a fullness of funnyness, wisdom and stories.

Scott

Last Day of Camp

sbid11@gmail.com — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:05:00 +0000

The last day of camp was a good. Ken, the director of the camp, took us on a hike to Sioux Charley Lake. It was 3 miles in and 3 miles out. He hiked up with his fishing pole, and he caught a fish in the lake. The river coming down was rushing so fast and was so high because of all the snow that was melting.

This post is going to sound a little short and weird, but I have some sort of a reason. I am so tired. I am ready for a long nap, but am even more ready to see Tauni, Michael and Zoe. I miss them so much.

Last night was very cool. I talked about walking on water. What I call the “road” that I have taken. It went very well. When I gave the students a chance to come and put their fears and obstacles in the boat, actually a green kayak, they came in droves. I think there were people there before I could even get out of the way. Joseph Barkley came up and played “You Never Let Go” by Matt Redman, which has seemed to be an anthem for me for the last 6 months or so. The band was amazing for the entire week. It was so good to work, and play with them.

I pray that God continues to use this week to impact Jr. High, the counselors, the camp staff and the camp ground summer staff.

Scott

Super Summer Wed. Update

sbid11@gmail.com — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:03:00 +0000

Yesterday was a good day. Started out by eating a delicious omelette. Next, headed into Absarokee, Montana, with the band. It is about a 25 minute drive, which we were making to sit inside a coffee shop and enjoy the wifi offered. Once we got there, the shop was closed. We don’t know why. Was it just for today, for the week, month, forever… we don’t know. There were no more coffee shops, and only one place with wifi. The information center, which seemed to be a combo antique, tourist information… etc. We all sat outside with our macs, and talking on our cell phones. It was pretty funny to see. The locals were all driving by and trying to figure out what was going on. I wanted to take pictures of their faces, because it was priceless. There is a picture floating around of us sitting there taken by Oscar, the keys player in Joseph Barkley, which I will have to get my hands on.

We came back just in time for lunch. Wow, the food here is amazing. There is a wide variety here. It makes me think of Bob Evans (thanks dad). We had pizza, cheese filled bread sticks, tacos, hamburgers, hotdogs… it was awesome.

In the afternoon we headed out to the firing range. It is the first time I have shot a gun probably since middle school, with my dad at Men’s Retreat. The difference is, that was a 22, and this was a lot bigger. I have no idea what it was, but it had the two huge missile looking “bullets” that we loaded each time. We shot at this discs that were shot into the air. It was pretty sweet. I shot 19 out of 50, which I was pumped about. The gun knocked me backward the first time because of the kick. NICE!!

Last night I was starting to feel tired, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. I spoke about not just stopping at words when we know what God wants us to do, but to Just Do It. It is the action that is the obedience that God wants. There are times we need to plan, and think, but there is always an action, and we need to get on it.

It was after I was done that I was hit very hard with the low that I hit when I am doing a number of sessions in a row. It was a drain, that I can’t explain. It is a loneliness, and yet I know that I am not alone. I miss my family, Tauni and the kids, my extended family, my community of support, and their lifting me up. It is a hard thing. I just kind of walked around, sat around and was very hard for me to focus, engage, even connect with people. I hate that feeling. It doesn’t help when I am unable to have cell reception, to make those connections happen.

I hit the wall last night, but am ready to break through it today. I actually slept till 7:30 today, which is an hour longer than my previous nights.

Scott

Super Summer Tues. update

sbid11@gmail.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Yesterday I had the chance to go white water rafting with the band, Joseph Barkley, Kyle, and the guy that owned the equipment, Marvin. We got to the river, stepped in the water, and it was freezing. We started down, paddling, and I had to ask about the temp. He said it was probably about 38 degrees. So, a little cold. I was sitting in front, so I took the brunt of the water coming. Well, me and Mark got destroyed. Mark is the lead guitarist from Joseph Barkley. It was funny at first, and as it hit my body, I would let out this little high pitched noise. Let’s just say, I did it quite a bit. With about a mile or so to go out of the 11 mile trip, I began to ask myself if I could go any farther. My legs, feet and hands were completely numb, and they were beginning to hurt. The funniness of the water coming over turned into just being angry every time it breached the side. When we saw the dock, I believe it was the best thing I had ever seen. We had to paddle pretty hard to get over there, but we were all very willing to put in the extra work to get it done. As we got out, we had to carry the boat out, and I could barely walk. I couldn’t feel my legs, which made it difficult to carry a boat. It made for a great illustration last night, but I know I wouldn’t do it again this week.

Last night I talked about trust, trusting God and knowing that he will do what is best for us, he designed us, and has our best interest in mind. The secondary but I believe almost equally important, is our trust in people around us, the community of church, because it is those two trusts that develop us and draw us closer to what God is doing. It is all about relationship, no matter how cheesy it may sound, is true.

I am a little tired because my body is still alined with Ohio time, which wakes me up around 6:00 to 6:30, no matter what time I go to bed. But hey, I can fake it for a week, right?

Scott

Opening Night in the Beartooth Mountains

sbid11@gmail.com — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:52:00 +0000

I had a chance to “hike”, which for me was on 4 wheels in an Isuzu Rodeo, about 3/4 of the way up some of the Beartooth Mountains. It was awesome.

Last night I spoke for the first time to the 7th and 8th grade students. I spoke about listening to the voice of God, and listening for the “pssst” of God. It was a great night. At the end, I gave them a chance to raise their hands if they wanted to follow God with everything that they have, and had probably half the room, of 150 students raise their hand, and added another 1/4 as I asked the question about wanting to train their ears to hear and recognize His voice.

I brought all the leaders up front and opened up the front as a place for the students to be able to come and pray with the leaders. By the end, I would say almost all of them took the opportunity to come, save a few, to pray, as the band, Plumbline, played. It was awesome.

Thanks for the emails of prayers and reminders of people praying for the camp and me as I continue to do what God has called me to. God is sweet, and I love having the opportunity to follow Him, and do exactly what I feel God has designed me for.

Scott