Big Is The New Small

Oklahoma, Auburn & Florida State Win!

The above title will be the big headline after tomorrow’s crazy day of college football.  I know this may sound like wishful thinking; however I really believe this is how things will play out.  I have been known to have some, what I like to call accurate predictions here at BigIsTheNewSmall.com.  As the college football season is winding down, I would like to share a few bullet points of what I’m thinking. 

Here it goes:

• Texas is rolling out the 45-35 signs and campaign to remind voters they already beat OU and the score; Does Texas Tech need to launch a 39-33 campaign & shouldn’t they be ahead of Texas?
• Unfortunately without a playoff system; you have to go with the hottest team… and the current hottest team is (drum roll) My Sooners!
• I really can’t stand the fact that we have to use computers and scenarios to find the true champion.
• OU will have 3 #1 draft picks after this year: Sam Bradford/NFL, Blake Griffin/NBA and Courtney Paris WNBA… NOW WHAT!
• I would like for the scenario to playoff where we could play the Texas Shorthorns again for the National Championship; the end result would not be the same.
• OSU we are rolling into Stillwater for a Bedlam match-up that you’ll never forget!

Do you have any thoughts on the college football landscape or my predictions?  Smack Talk Is Welcome!

Do you want to see a playoff ?  See what Obama says about a College Football playoff here.

God, I have so much to be thankful for that I don’t even know where to begin.  I’m Oh So Thankful…

Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for reading www.BigIsTheNewSmall.com.

I have today’s featured devotional on Streaming Faith, which is the world’s largest online faith-based broadcasting portal. The devotional is very similar to yesterday’s BigIsTheNewSmall blog post.  I’d be thankful if you would go check out the devotional here and show some BigIsTheNewSmall comment Luv.

I’m Oh So Thankful…

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE DESSERT

Dessert is defined as: A sweet course, treat or dish; served after the main course.

As I was thinking about the holiday season and all of the desserts that I am going to consume; I was reminded of what dessert really is by definition.  It’s that sweet course or treat after the main dish… In life that main dish could be college and the sweet treat could be that degree; that main dish could be your role as a leader and the sweet treats are the lessons that you learn daily; the main course could be that step in obedience in making the commitment to tithe and the sweet treats are the opened floodgates of blessings that God pours into your life, the main course could be the struggles of life, darkness, insecurity, sin… and the SWEET TREAT is the truth, life, grace and forgiveness through Christ.

You get the picture!

The bottom line is to always be mindful and thankful that even though the “main course in life” may not always be good or our favorite dish; there is an opportunity for a tasty treat after the main course. 

It’s All About The Dessert…   Transcend The Isms  

“Some people complain that roses have thorns, I’m thankful thorns have roses.”

• Are you able to anticipate the sweet treat after the main courses in life?
• What is your favorite dessert during the Holiday Season?  I’ll go first: “Pecan Freakin’ Pie”

SHAQ FEEDS THE CHILDREN 

Shaq feeding the children is only a small piece of this post; however I thought the sub-title was cool.  I will share some quick highlights for those of you who might want to take the time to check out the video below of My Day Through My Eyes, basically it’s my entire day yesterday.  I got this idea from my man Los over at www.ragamuffinsoul.com.  He actually made this same concept happen in 90 sec.; I am not the editor extraordinaire.  So here is what you have, a video of My Day Yesterday Through My Eyes via unedited chunks, all shot from a flip camera.  Some of the video highlights include:

• My morning regimen
• My 5yo son singing & 9yo son dancing
• OU Women’s Basketball Paris-Twins (Courtney and Ashley Paris) 
• Meet my staff. BTW-The one who had jokes is Vince; one of our Associate Youth Pastors.
• My wife is MIA… she said I couldn’t record her, I told her she gets 1 free pass! LOL
• Live interview with Shaq, as he helps Larry Jones raise money for Feed the children!

The video is a bit long; however it may make you laugh, cry, sing, do absolutely nothing for you…

Watch At Your Own Risk!

It’s Monday, It’s Morning and I’m Rambling 10 Times

• My Sooners are #3 Behind Texas in The BCS Poll; I don’t want to hear the argument that Texas beat OU, because if that’s the case Texas Tech should be ahead of Texas.  OU is playing great right now and I want a Playoff.  President Obama Can You Help?
• My friends @ Flamingo Road Church just kicked off a sweet new series this weekend that will bless many: The Gift Revolution.
• We have a little down time between sports, the boys don’t kick off basketball until Dec. 4th.
• I am really pressing people at the n-dub to move from our Packed Sunday 10:00 & 11:30 experiences to our Sat. Night Experiences.  That’s the only way we will grow… seriously the more people, the more lives that will be changed! 
• I need to find more time to simply just write… I am reading and writing regularly; however I need to dedicate time specifically to writing.
• I watched the American Music Awards (Kanye West is talented but always comes across arrogant, Beyonce & Rihana are beautiful and talented, Myley Cyrus is growing up and New Kids On The Block Brought Back Memories)
• Looking forward to some Thanksgiving Grub!
• Leaders are responsible for creating a culture of growth, life, love, challenge, authenticity and leadership.  ”Your leadership will only be as successful as the successful culture that you create.” S.W.  {read the quote again}
• My entire staff is getting ready to go through Seth Godin’s newest book Tribes together.
• How was your weekend?  What are you Rambling about this Monday Morning… It’s your world you can share any randomness: sports, personal, ministry.  Sound Off!

I thought I would share a few pictures of some pastor/friends of mine and their Look-A-Likes.  I want to get your thoughts, comments and feedback on which one is the closest match:

#1.

Left: Brian Kruckenberg (LifeChurch.tv Mesa Campus Pastor) Right: Rob Bell (Author, Nooma, Mars Hill…)

#2.

Left: Herbert Cooper (Senior Pastor of People’s Church) Right: Denzel Washington (Oscar Award Winning Actor, Come on it’s Denzel enough said)

#3.

Left: Ketric Newell (LifeChurch.tv Associate Youth Pastor Edmond Campus) Right: Pete Wilson (Senior Pastor of Cross Point Church)

#4.

Left: Jimi Hendrix (Jimi Hendrix… black rock star)  Right: Stephen Cole (LifeChurch.tv Worship Pastor and black rock star)

#5

Left: (Left In Picture): Michael Bensch (stud n-dub volunteer/friend) Right:  Michael Guglielmucci (Austrailian Pastor who wrote amazing song “Healer” on Hillsong album and faked terminal illness)

• What are your thoughts; who’s the closest match? 
• Are there any other Pastor Look-A-Likes out there that you would like to share?

KEEPIN’ IT REAL

I want to close out with a very simple confession… I don’t share all of my business with everybody.  I am all about transparency, openness, accountability, keepin’ it real etc.; however I don’t think always it’s beneficial to tell everyone everything.  My old Bishop back in the day gave me that little nugget of wisdom.

The bottom line is that if you have something that needs to be shared, told or confessed; by all means tell somebody (the right person, the right people), just not always everybody!  I have plenty more confessions to share and I have shared them with somebody or some people… just not you!  God Is Love… Rev. Scott

Don’t be transparent for transparency’s sake… keep it real & make it beneficial!  Thoughts!

THE ANNOINTING OIL 

I remember this scenario as though it was yesterday; I had just began my journey into full-time vocational ministry at LifeChurch.tv.  I was the Associate Campus Pastor at the Edmond Campus and had been there for about 30 days.  I was Gung-Ho and ready to attack hell with a water pistol, if your know what I mean.  I remember a lady coming up after one of the experiences and needed prayer, so one of the other Associate Campus Pastors grabbed me, so that we could pray for her.

We proceeded to the staff offices to begin praying for healing for the right side of her body and for her Dr.’s appointment the following day.  I remember the other Associate Campus Pastor who will remain nameless; looked at me and then looked at a bottle of oil on the Campus Pastor’s desk.  I looked at him, with a look like “why ya lookin’ at me…” he proceeded to say go ahead Pastor Scott get the oil.  (Let’s Pause Right Here, I didn’t get a handbook with my calling to ministry… just a step of obedience and trusting God to use me in some way, and this was the first lesson in not knowing what I’m doing… Un-pause.)

This whole process of being the anointer with oil was new for me and I was going to have to just trust God to walk me through the process.  I grabbed the oil, opened the lid, shook a little on my finger… think think, I made a cross on her forehead (it seemed like the spiritual thing to do), anointed her in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and then we prayed for her.

I wasn’t quite sure if I did the right thing so I “Googled It” and Yes, I was right on the money. {smile}   Everything except for giving her a klennex, that was just a bonus and a courtesy. {smile}  I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength and discernment!  BTW- I have not seen any anointing oil at LifeChurch.tv since then!

Ever found yourself in one of those situations where you didn’t know what to do or say?  Thoughts?

DEEP SLEEP

I thought I would dedicate this week to getting real open and honest with the BigIsTheNewSmall.com readers by sharing some Confessions of a Pastor… and that Pastor would be me.  Some of what I share this week may make you laugh, make you cry… or may get me fired.  Here goes the first confession:

One Sunday afternoon several years ago my son Wesley (who was around seven years old at the time) and I were on our way home, prior to me having to return to the Sunday Evening Church Experience.  I needed to run in the grocery store real quick to pick up some cough medicine and cough drops.  I parked up close and decided to leave my son in the car while I ran inside the store real quick.  Being the awesome parent that I am; I told my son to lock the doors, because I was going to leave the keys in the car while I ran inside the store real quick.  My son said “cool” because he was watching a movie.

Five minutes (or less )  later I return to the car and my son is knocked out sleep (I mean not responding to banging on the window, yelling, rocking the SUV Deep Sleep) with the movie headphones on, car running and doors locked. 

Not a fun call to my lovely wife who is a Child Welfare Social Worker. 

BTW- I did’nt receive the “Parent of The Year Award” that year!

Thoughts on my confession? Any confessions you want to share?