Amy Scott's Thoughts

Sharing the thoughts that bounce around in my brain!

Just Keep Swimming May 10, 2011

Filed under: Bible,Women in Ministry — Amy Scott @ 3:35 pm

Finding Nemo is now a well known Disney/Pixar classic movie. It follows the tale of a young fish named Nemo who gets captured from the open ocean and placed in a fish tank at a dentist office. His father, Marlin, sets off to find him and along the way meets, Dory, another fish that joins that journey to find Nemo (thus the title). There is a really cute song that Dory sings along the way called “Just Keep Swimming.” In fact, those three words are the entire song. The simple little tune of “Just Keep Swimming” comes to mind many times when I’m tired and overwhelmed. It might seem silly, but it’s a great reminder for me to keep going.

It seems like this song fits a multitude of situations – when you’re tired and stressed and you know you have to wake up another day and do it all over again – just keep swimming. When you’re dreams aren’t panning out at the pace you had hoped – just keep swimming. When people don’t come through for you like you had hoped – just keep swimming. As much as we might want to throw in the towel from time to time, we know that we have been called by God to complete His glorious purpose. We can’t allow our visions to become detours. Sometimes you have to just keep swimming.

Galatians 6:9 is the best verse I know to keep me swimming. It says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for in the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  It might be a cheesy illustration, but Marlin didn’t give up in the quest for his son. He kept swimming despite hardships and received the joy of being reunited with Nemo. There will be a great reward if we keep on going. It might seem easier to stop, but we’ll be sacrificing the joy at the end.

I think one of the reasons I love Galatians 6:9 so much is because Paul acknowledges we can become weary in doing good. Being in ministry isn’t an easy vocation. I know personally I can become weary when I look around at all that still needs to be done. I can grow weary when I invest in people only to see them stay in the same sinful cycles. I can grow weary when the pace seems faster than me and I can’t keep up. Let’s be honest – we all limitations and weariness can set in.  Sustainable ministry is so important so that when weariness sets in; you can be rested and renewed. It’s important to not let weariness lead to burn out.

As you swim through this journey of life, we have to remember that the good outweighs the bad. When we’re investing into Kingdom endeavors then our hard work will not be in vain. We might not see the reward as quickly as we like, but it’s there.  This verse reminds us that there is a harvest to be had if we don’t give up.  Here is a personal example of how I’ve seen this happen in my life – I’m very close to my students and stay in contact with them long after they leave my classroom. I had one student keep in touch with me for many years only to push me away after a hard season in her life. I tried so hard to encourage her and let her know that I was there for her, but it didn’t matter. I learned that I can’t make someone be open and share with me. I was left with only one option and that was pray for her. I let go of all the efforts I was making to connect with her. It was over a year before I heard from her again, but when I did, let me tell there was great joy! The wait was more than worth it! I can now see the harvest of my prayers. It was in God’s timing, not my own. I could have never brought this all about on my own.

Some days when I just need a little “something” more to keep me going, I might start humming the tune “Just Keep Swimming” and quote to myself Galatians 6:9. I know what I am called to do, but I realize that I can get weary in doing good. When I remember the harvest – my true purpose for doing it all – it helps to me not give up and just keep swimming!

 

Take a Deep Breath May 4, 2011

Filed under: Bible,Simply Me — Amy Scott @ 10:16 am

Many of you know how much of a worrier I can be. I’m practically a pro at it! My life verse for the last few years has been Philippians 4: 4-7 – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I need this reminder daily, hourly, minute-by-minute! I have a bit of an adventure ahead of me this weekend and of course, I’m nervous and a little worried. As I was getting ready this morning, this verse flooded over me and I took a deep breath. I know that God is in control! I know that my worrying won’t help anyone, most of all myself! I know that when I pray and thank the Lord, His peace will flow into my mind and heart! My prayer for today and this weekend is that I will be a joyful and gentle presence to those around me and that I will prayerfully give every anxiety to God! AMEN!

 

Let’s Get Real April 30, 2011

Filed under: Bible,Women in Ministry — Amy Scott @ 1:44 pm

Recently, I read a book about being real. The main focus was about being real before God and letting His love transform me. The book was called The Velveteen Woman and it used illustrations from The Velveteen Rabbit to make its point. While the rabbit illustration were cute, I found it missing the mark in my life. I was struggling with reality, but in a totally different way.

I don’t want to say I never struggle with being real before God, but for the most part, I feel like I’m very real before God. I must have accepted long ago that God knows everything, so He is the person who knows me the best and see every thought that goes on in my brain (that does worry me sometimes). I have explained to my class of 5th/6th graders that God needs to become their best friend. You can tell Him anything.

My time with God is very open and honest. I feel no need to hide because I know He knows. I find that I laugh at myself as I explain to Him what is going on in my heart and head. He must laugh too at how silly I can be. When I am hurting, I am not afraid to tell Him how I really feel about the matter. He is a perfect confidant and I trust Him with me – the real me.

When it comes to people, I’m not so confident. I’m not sure I can trust them with the real me. Along the way, I have felt the need to build up this image of who I am based off who I think I should be. Being in ministry, I feel like I have to look like I have it all together at all times. Somehow I have built this image of what a pastor’s wife is like or what a church staff member should be. I want to live under the umbrella of the images I have created in my mind. Sometimes I really believe I am the image I am trying to create. Other times it’s harder to grasp at perfection. I feel I can trust God with me the real me, but what about others? This has been my challenge.

I’ve really had to wrestle with God’s calling to be real. I feel so safe with him. I know I can be honest and He will love me. After much prayer and reflection, I can see that I’m living only half of my calling if I just give God me and leave it at that. I’m sure He is delighted in our relationship, but He didn’t create me to hide from the world. He created me with a purpose and a calling to love the world.

This reminds me of Luke 10:27 where Jesus says, “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” There are two elements to this relationship with God. The first is the most important, the relationship between you and God. However, that relationship with God then commands you love others. Our purpose is two-fold. God doesn’t call us to stay tucked away in a safety cocoon with Him. Once we have that relationship with Him, we are sent out to the love the world as we have been loved.

It’s time for me to get real with others. The walls that I have built in protection are really holding me back from the true purpose God has created me to do. I realize that in this world I can’t please everyone and there will be moments of rejection that I will have to work through. If my identity and reality is rooted in Christ, then I will have the strength and boldness to accept whatever comes my way and move forward in truth and honesty.

 

Reflections on Ordination April 28, 2011

Filed under: Bible,Travels,Women in Ministry — Amy Scott @ 1:27 pm

I don’t have a lot of time, but I want to write down my thoughts about ordination now while they are still fresh! I don’t want to look back and think “oh, it was a nice day.” So many special moments are lost in the recesses of memory because they are not documented and intentionally remembered. I strive greatly to capture as many moments as I can to save them and cherish them in the future.

Ordination – two words come to my mind first – honor and humble. They seem to contrast, but they would be the best description of what I felt at my ordination ceremony. It is an honor to be recognized in such a way. To have my divine call to ministry publicly affirmed and supported by the Assemblies of God and by my many colleagues and family members is such an honor. I do not take lightly the call that God has placed on my life. I am actively pursuing whatever means possible to grow and develop that call. For me, ordination was another step in the journey the Lord has placed before me. In the midst of all this, I felt humbled! Just like King David prayed to God, “Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign LORD, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree, Sovereign LORD, is for a mere human” (2 Sam. 7:18-19).  Now I didn’t receive the same news David did, but wow, I can’t believe that God has taken me so far! I’m humbled that I can be used to service His Kingdom purposes. I’m so honored and so humbled to be where I am today.

More than ever I feel the fervent call to mentor and teach God’s Word! I am passionate about those God has placed in my life and I know my influence is God given. Teaching God’s Word and helping the next generation to fall in love with it is an amazing calling and I am so excited to live it out. The theme of annual conference was “Find Your Voice” and I think is this so fitting for the new season of life I am in. I am so excited for this new calling to writing ministry and I look forward to using my voice to express my love for the Savior and chronicle my life in ministry. I continue to pray that God will grow me and use me in all these passions and callings! I do believe that big things are in store for the future.

In closing, I would like to say thank you to everyone who has supported me in this journey! The prayers and encouragement have meant more to me than you’ll ever know. I know that I am not alone and that I can’t live out this calling on my own. I am blessed and so grateful for all the love I have been shown. Yesterday was a very special day and I won’t forget the outpouring of love and support I was shown!

 

More than Chocolate Bunnies and Egg Hunts April 23, 2011

Filed under: Bible,Children's Ministry,Women in Ministry — Amy Scott @ 4:48 pm

Today was a great day! We at close to 2,000 kids at Bethel Church for giant egg hunt! 40,000 plastic eggs full of candy were hidden in our fields for children to find. We had inflatables, pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, balloon animals. With such a big event on Easter weekend, it is very easy for my Easter to be all about Eggstravaganza. I mean I do Eggstravaganza for Jesus and for outreach, but what I am thinking about – prize eggs and signage and parking and volunteers… So right now I want to take a moment to remember the true purpose of Easter – beyond the bunnies!

My Savior died for me because I am sinner and separated from God. There is no way in my humanness that I could bridge the gap. He was God’s ONLY SON and he gave his life for me. He died while I was still a sinner. He died for me because He LOVES me. I have done NOTHING WORTHY of this love! The cross is so central to Easter, the suffering my Savior endured. However, death couldn’t hold Him down and the enemy was defeated! I have the glorious hope of heaven and purpose for each day here on Earth.

As I was thinking about Jesus in the midst of the egg hunt, Philippians 2:5-8 come to mind:

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very natureof a servant,
being made in human likeness.
  And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

Thank you, Jesus, for dying for me. Thank you for lowering yourself from the heights of heaven to human lowliness. I don’t deserve your love, but I gratefully accept it.I know that I serve a God that is living and the grave couldn’t hold you down. Help me to reflect your love to others and make the most of my time here on earth. I LOVE YOU! Amen.

 

Better Together April 20, 2011

Filed under: Bible,Children's Ministry,Women in Ministry — Amy Scott @ 2:44 pm

When I was in high school, I felt the call of God in my life to go into ministry as a full time vocation. The thing is I only knew I wanted to be at church – all the time. I couldn’t picture myself heading into an office building and working the 9 to 5 job. I liked kids, but the thought of being in a classroom all day as a teacher scared me. So where was I going to fit? It all seemed so wide open. So many options!

Then the Lord brought Jeremy into my life. Jeremy was the intern at my home church. He was active in children’s ministry and right around the time we started dating he was offered the position as children’s pastor at my home church. This was very exciting for him and I was so proud of him. I was away at college during this process so when I came home for that summer, he was curious if I wanted to teach a class of girls on Wednesday nights and help with children’s church on Sunday mornings.

Being just out of high school, I was still in the youth mindset, but I knew that church was much more than a youth ministry, so I decided to jump into children’s ministry. I figured if God wanted Jeremy and I to be together then I would need to find a fit in children’s ministry. If I didn’t fit, then I figured maybe this wasn’t the right direction for my ministry calling.

That summer was so important for me as a young person with a passion for ministry. I fell in love with children’s ministry and it set me on the path I’m now walking out. The great thing about my ministry is that I’m not doing it alone. I get the joy and the pleasure to walk beside my husband in truly a partnership of ministry.

Being able to share my ministry with my husband is so important for strength. We are able to support strengthen each other. We process the world differently, so we have two perspectives that help us to think outside of the box and openly discuss life and ministry from various angles. My strengths are not my husband’s strengths and his are not mine. We are able to round each other out.

Ministry is so rewarding, but it also can be very draining. By sharing the load, in a partnership, I am able to go farther and do more. I am also empowered to be who I am and how God made me to be. I don’t have to worry about trying to be just like my husband and mirror his ministry. We can see where we each shine differently. Every person is blessed with unique spiritual and leadership gifts. Using these unique gifts brings balance to ministry. We are energized to be an allied force for good.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” I get to live out this principle every day at work. I know that I am better off for working in a team. We get more done together then we do alone. Our labor has a good return and we have the support and strength of each other. It is so nice to know that someone is there to catch me when I fall and that we’ll be able to get up and keep going. No getting stuck in a pit for this girl, I’ve invested in the buddy system.

Now I realize that not everyone has the blessing of sharing their ministry with their spouse. The ideas and principles still apply to anyone. We are not meant to it alone. Ministry is best done together because it is so central on relationship. We need to build partnerships into our lives and share our loads. Not only will the burden be lighter, but you have shared joy and shared triumph. Build people into your life that you deeply share your ministry with. Don’t walk this path alone. It’s truly better together!

 

All Things For Good April 18, 2011

Filed under: Bible,Women in Ministry — Amy Scott @ 2:41 pm

Recently, my husband and I have walked through a very sad and unique season of life. My husband lost both of his grandfathers in less than two months time. It was very hard for me to watch the family grieve. Through this season I was overwhelmed with thoughts about what if my last remaining grandfather was to pass away as well. I knew he wasn’t in the best health, but I assumed he had years left to go. Just 6 months after we buried my husband’s first grandpa to pass away, we buried my grandpa. We lost three grandpas in six months.

The personal family loss was hard, but it was also coupled with many other losses within my own church congregation. In ministry, I attend many memorial services for congregation members and their families. During this same season of family loss, our church had a woman at age twenty-three lose a battle to cancer and another member die in a tragic plane accident. My sister-in-law’s sister also passed away during this same time period.

It seemed like death was everywhere and in every circle of my life.  My grandpa was the last to pass away in the string of many losses. I can see that the Lord prepared my heart for this very loss. I know many families are like mine, I grew up being close to only one set of grandparents. My first encounter with loss was my mother’s father. Mental illness had kept us from being close for many years and when he passed, I felt relieved. I knew his mind was whole again and he was with his Savior. Emotionally it was still difficult, but I always knew the next grandfather to pass would be the most difficult loss, because he was the one I had been most attached to. Watching my husband grieve only made me wonder how I would ever handle the loss of my own grandfather. I had no idea that this experience that I dreaded was right around the corner for me.

During this strange and sad season, I had looked up a lot of scripture to help the ones I loved. I would pour through the Bible looking for encouragement for those whose hearts were aching. Even in my own devotional time the Lord brought scripture after scripture to me. I was so encouraged and was able to share with others the positive words I was receiving. Now I can see that the Lord was preparing my own heart for the road that was ahead.

I thought the Lord was giving me these Scriptures so I can be used in the situations that surrounded me. It was for others that He was pouring out these verses to me. It wasn’t until my own grandpa passed away that I learned the Lord was prepping my heart and preparing me for the loss that was about to come.  He used the ministry that I poured out on others so that He could minister to me in own hard season of the loss.

Death is always going to be a part of my life. Especially in ministry, I know that I will attend many more memorial services and minister to many aching, grieving souls. Because of this season that I have walked through, I feel like the Lord has prepared me for the future. He has shown my heart the healing power of His scripture. The meaning feels so much deeper now. I feel the words with greater conviction and long even more for the glory of heaven.

There are two verses really struck me during this time of loss and I would like to leave them with you. Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Tears were so common during this season and they still come from time to time, but there is such peace knowing that there will be a day when all is made right and all pain will be redeemed. Also, Romans 8:28 spoke to me saying, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  I was reminded in those hard moments that God can use all things for good. Even the things we can’t see as good. He uses it. My personal experiences have not been pleasant to walk through, but I know that it has deeply impacted me as a person and the way I minister. The best ministry comes out of experience and I can see how I walked through a hard time so that I can pour out to those who find themselves on a similar path. God can and will use my pain for his glory.

 

Promises April 12, 2011

Filed under: Bible — Amy Scott @ 6:22 pm

Last year I committed to reading the Bible through in a year. I had done it twice before, but that was years ago. I really enjoyed the journey and found many scriptures I had read before jumped off the pages to me in a way I hadn’t seen previously. Just like a little alter built between me and God, I have started the one year reading process over again and I have come across a verse that reminds me of all the emotions and thoughts that flooded my soul last year.

Before I share with you the verse, I would like to give some background details, so that way the miracle of this verse isn’t missed. The book of Deuteronomy is the last book written by Moses before he dies. Moses clearly in this book sets aside the blessing of following God’s law as well as the curse for not following it. He paints a beautiful picture of how things can be if the Israelites stay true to their God. I can imagine how inspiring it must have been to the Israelites to hear all the good things the Lord had planned for their future. When Moses dies, he passes the baton onto Joshua, who will now lead God’s people in the Promised Land. The Israelites know that many battles lie ahead and that they must purge the land of its evil inhabitants. With the inspiration of Moses and the courageous leadership of Joshua, the Israelites move forward and conquer. The book of Joshua documents the battles won and how the land was divided amongst the tribes.

Here is where my special verse comes into play. Joshua 21:45 says, “Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” This might seem like a simple verse, but its power packed! There were a lot of promises in the book of Deuteronomy, not just one or two. All of the Lord’s good promises were fulfilled. The Israelites knew the reward, but they also knew the amount of effort that was going to be required of them. They boldly walked in the truth that the Lord would do as he said and he did! We can see the process of faith unfold in this verse. The Israelites took him at his word and he came through.

God has called us, just like the Israelites, to move forward and be a force for good in this world. He has laid the promises out before us. We know the reward for stepping out in faith. My journey might not reflect that of an Israelite solider, but I am still called into a battle and into a fight. I know that it won’t be easy to cross the obstacles that lie ahead of me. However, I can see clearly that the Lord promises good to me if I do as I am called.

The closing of Joshua might seem like a nice place to end the story. God inspired the Israelites. They did as God told them to do. God was faithful to reward them. And they all lived happily ever after. I wish this was how the story ended, but sadly it’s not. The book of Judges turns into a cycle of the Israelites turning their backs on God. Instead of the living the promises of Deuteronomy, they are now living the curse.  This process continues on through the generations and leads to their exile and dispersion as a people.

Here we can plainly see that good leads to good and evil leads to evil. The path we set out on determines our direction. The Israelites have given us a clear picture of what it means to live in obedience and blessing or to live in disobedience and suffer the curse. I am inspired to know that God will keep his promises; he will not fail me. However, I’m a part of this equation! I must choose the path and I must walk it out. If I want to see the promises fulfilled then I have to live out the calling he has given me and walk in obedience. When I look back on my time here on earth, I want to be able to say the same thing Joshua said, every good promise was fulfilled!

 

Up in the Air April 11, 2011

Filed under: Bible,Simply Me — Amy Scott @ 12:48 pm

This was the first piece I wrote as I started my writing adventure, so I believe it has a home here on the blog!

So many things in my life are up in the air. They are beyond my control. I’m waiting on confirmation from this person, waiting to see how this situation pans out, waiting to know more details before I can move ahead.  I’m not good at waiting. I’m a planner. I have to have a next step at all times. When things in my life are up in the air and out of my control, my brain goes into ultra planning mode to compensate for the lack of knowledge I currently have. If I can’t pin down all the details, I come up with plan A, plan B, plan C, etc. based on all the possible outcomes. A lot of energy goes into planning things that might be or may not be.

We have all heard that patience is a virtue. As a Christ follower, I feel I need to look patient at all times. This leads to a nasty mental process of me going over all my plans and telling everyone else I am fine. I can wait for those details; I understand that things are unclear, even with God, I tell him I will wait for his answer. However, inwardly my brain spins out of control. All the unanswered questions, I try to solve in my mind by playing every option out over and over again. As you can imagine, this is a very tiring process.

The other day I was discussing my life with a friend. I didn’t go into all my crazy details, but I mentioned to her how up in the air a lot of my plans were and how unclear the future looks. I told her I felt like a dog chasing my tail. I want all the details, but they are just not there. No matter how many times I run around in circles trying to pin them all down, it will never be a successful venture. Just like a silly puppy, I will get tired, feel defeated, and probably end up sitting down and taking a sulky nap.

I wonder if God views my tail-chasing and just laughs, like I would at a puppy in the same situation. I can pretend with him that patience is a virtue I possess because I am good little girl who knows the Sunday School answers. He knows the truth and he sees through my feigned contentment to the chaos beneath the surface of me.

When things are up in the air, I need to look up. I need to look beyond myself and quit pretending I have the ability to predict the future so I can be prepared for every outcome. I’m not super human and as much I would love to have complete control, it will never be possible. Desperately trying to grasp control only wears me out and leaves me feeling defeated.  Just like helium balloons, I need to let go and send all the plans up into the air. Send them to God and let him take care of the rest.

I am reminded of the songs of ascent in the book of Psalms. I think it’s fitting the ascent means to move upward and this case, look upward. Psalms 121:1-3 remind me of the truth – “I lift up my eyes to the mountain, where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip; he who watches over you will not slumber.”  When I lift my eyes beyond my own situations and worries, I can see God more clearly. I have renewed trust in the truth that he knows how it will work out, he won’t let me slip and he will never slumber. He is always looking out for me. If I feel like my life is up in the air, maybe it’s better that way because it’s in better hands. Not my own, but it the hands of the Maker.