things in scott's head

Things Coming This Sunday!!!

2010-09-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

October 3 is going to be a fantastic day in the life of FBC Terlton and the Kingdom of the Lord. We are beginning a week of revival services with Evangelist Charlie Keim and Music with Jeremy Annett. I firmly believe that God is going to do some amazing things in these services. The service times will be: Sunday morning at 11:00, Sunday evening at 6:00, and Monday–Wednesday at 7:00. You will not want to miss a service.

Charlie is a Chalk Evangelist, which means that while he preaches he does chalk art to illustrate his sermons. It is a great thing to witness. Jeremy Annett has such a great spirit while he leads in worship. He also has a fantastic voice to go along with his heart to give God glory.

But also on Sunday October 3, we are having a HIGH ATTENDANCE SUNDAY!!! We hope to have 180 in Sunday School (which starts at 9:45 and there are classes for all ages) and our goal for worship is 200. These are big goals but not unattainable. But we need you to be here in order for us to accomplish them. Invite a friend or two to come with you as well.

Many have asked, “Why have a high attendance day? Are you all about numbers?” Let me emphasize that I am NOT all about numbers. But I realize that if 200 people are in our church, hearing the Gospel of Jesus, then that is 200 people who have an opportunity to respond to the truth of Christ. We need to do all we can to make sure the most number of people can hear about the life changing power of Christ. There is nothing better that we can do.

Immediately after our morning worship we will have a big pot-luck meal. Everyone is encouraged to attend. And we are asking our church members that if you usually bring 2 dishes, bring 3 this Sunday as we are expecting a larger crowd.

Please be in prayer for our revival services. Even if you can’t make it, please be in prayer for it. I am confident that God desires to bring revival to Terlton and only through the power of the Holy Spirit will it happen. I need revival in my life personally. God is doing great things and let’s see how much more He will do when we call on His name.

2 Chronicles 7:14, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Things Coming This Sunday!!!

2010-09-28T07:11:00.000-07:00

home

2010-03-16T09:54:00.001-07:00

Thank you so much for all your prayers. I returned home Friday around 5:00. It took us forever to get home but we finally made it.

Click on http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CfcftDUabM and you can view a video I made of the trip. I hope it blesses you.

Thanks again so much for your prayers and support. Have a wonderful day and God bless.

Scott

leaving on a jet plane

2010-03-10T11:56:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow we leave to head back to the good ole US of A. It has been a great trip to the Republic of Malawi. Please remember us as we will be traveling for about 36 hours trying to get home. Pray that our luggage arrives on time with everything in it and nothing is broken (wood carvings).

Thanks for taking time to read my blog for the past week and a half. It has been great seeing God move among our group. I believe 414 people professed Christ the past week. It has been amazing. My prayer is that we continue to share Christ like we do here. So many times we find it easy to share Christ on the mission field but not at home. What a shame.

We leave tomorrow at 3:05 pm (7:05 am Tulsa time) so please remember us. Have a great day and I look forward to having some pictures downloaded soon for you to see. Take care and God bless.

Scott
Acts 4:13

Tuesday

2010-03-09T08:46:00.000-08:00

Today was our last day of "ministry" in Malawi. Yesterday (Monday) we spent the entire day at the Baptist Theological Seminary of Malawi. We spent the day sharing with Pastors of Malawi on purity and integrity. I preached two one-hour sermons. It was a bit tough because I generally only preach 30 minutes. But Jamie Powell, one of our Pastors with us, preached four sermons that were one hour each. It was material he had prepared for other men's meetings. He did a great job.

Today we spent the morning witnessing in the urban area. Dalitso (my translator) and I were able to lead 7 to the Lord. With the rest of the team, we lead over 20. It was another great day serving the Lord and sharing the love of Jesus.

Tomorrow we will be going to the Baptist Clinic and Orphanage then to Lake Malawi for some rest and fun. We leave Thursday and get home Friday night.

I will update when I get home. Thanks for your prayers and have a wonderful day.

Scott
Acts 4:13

saturday

2010-03-06T07:37:00.000-08:00

It was another great day here in Malawi. Today we went back to the same area we were in yesterday. Dulitso, my translator, and I went and God blessed us by 54 people giving their life to Christ. It was a great day as the team saw almost 100 profess Christ.

It was also a great day to play with the kids. The kids love to see the azunga (white person) come down the street. Their smiles are always a joy to see.

Tomorrow we will be preaching in 5 different churches. I am preaching at the church that meets at the seminary. Please be praying for the team as we share to the love of Christ to the churches.

I hope everyone is having a great day and God continues to bless you.

Scott
Acts 4:13

awesome

2010-03-05T08:22:00.000-08:00

Today was an amazing day, but so was yesterday.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to lead 31 people to salvation in Christ. But today was even better. God lead me to share with 70 people who responded to the Gospel. It was so amazing. The people of Malawi have such a works based faith. Please continue to pray for us as we share.

Tomorrow (Saturday) we will be back in the same area doing the same thing, hopefully with the same results. Sunday we are preaching in 5 different churches with the 5 team members. Please pray that we share what God wants us to tell them.

I look forward to sharing with you what God does. Check back tomorrow as I hope to share. Thanks so much and God bless.

Scott

great things

2010-03-03T09:58:00.001-08:00

Today was a great day. We split up into twos and went witnessing in the streets of a few villages. I was able to lead a group of 7 and a group of 8 to the Lord. The people of Malawi are very receptive and have such a works based faith due to the Catholic legacy. I was also able to meet the chief of one of the villages and his wife. They are believers so we were able to encourage them and pray for them.

One of the families we lead to the Lord asked if we could get them a Bible. The father wants to use it to read to his family. What an awesome thing. Isn't that the responsiblity of all fathers?

As a whole, the team was able to lead over 30 people to Christ. Please continue to pray for us as we minister to the people in the villages and work with the churches. God is truly working and seeing great things. God bless.

Scott

HERE

2010-03-02T06:36:00.000-08:00

We are finally in Malawi. We left Tulsa at 5:45 pm on Sunday and our last plane touched down in Malawi at 2:53 pm (Tuesday) and 6:53 am (Tulsa Time - Tuesday). It took, what seemed like, forever to get here. Spending the night in the airport in Washington, DC at the ticket counter was a little less than fun. Actually it was rough.

Allof our luggage arrived which is a huge answer to prayers. Please continue to pray for us as we begin ministry early tomorrow morning.

I had a chance to share Christ with a girl on the flight from Ethiopia to Malawi. She and the girl with her are students from Belguim. She said she was raised religious but is not really doing it now. She was not really ready to talk about Christ but I left her a MOST IMPORTANT THING card which is a website that has my testimony and a place to respond to Christ. Keep her and her friend in your prayers as they are in Malawi for 3 months working with Special Needs kids.

Thanks for reading. I am going to try and update when I can. Have a wonderful day and keep my family in your prayers at home. Love you girls!

Scott

Leaving Tomorrow

2010-02-27T19:06:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I will be leaving for Malawi. We leave Tulsa at 5:45 pm and go to Detroit, then to Washington, DC, then to Rome, then to Ethiopia, then to Malawi. It will take almost two fill days to get there. Please keep our team in your prayers.

Also today I hurt my back. I was getting ready and it felt like someone grabbed my back muscles and began to twist. I went to the chiropractor and he popped my ribs back into place. They are still sore but I am doing much better. Also Shelly and Taylor have been sick with stomach junk so keep them in your prayers too.

I will do my best to update daily about the Malawi trip. It will obviously depend on my internet access. I am confident God will do amazing things on this trip. I covet your prayers and I ask that you remember us as God works His wonders. Thanks so much and God bless.

Scott

malawi 2010

2010-01-16T13:56:00.001-08:00

When God gives you a great opportunity to serve Him, you had better take advantage of it. So February 28–March 12, I am going back to Malawi Africa on a mission trip, working with the churches, pastors, and seminary students. We will be holding worship services, baptism services, street evangelism, and encouraging the seminary personnel. It will be a fantastic trip.

The one thing I covet are the prayers of all my friends and family. Please take time in your day to remember our team and our endeavors to serve the Lord. I will update this blog as much as I can. Internet usage may be limited but I will share when I can. Also, please pray for Shelly and my girls as I am away from them.

And obviously a trip like this has its expenses. The total, with airfare, food, on ground transportation, and everything else needed, is right at $3,000. But I also know that if God is leading me to Africa, He will provide the necessary funds. If anyone would like to contribute to the trip, you can make a check payable to First Baptist Church Terlton. Send it to Route 1 Box 138, Terlton, OK 74081.

Thank you for reading the time to read this and I am so excited about what God is doing. If you would like to see a video from my trip last year, click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQtJlizc6j4. Thanks again and God bless.

Scott
Acts 4:13

EO ... RO

2010-01-08T14:12:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday I preached a sermon on the need to share Jesus with those around us. In that sermon I ended with a challenge for each person in our congregation to think of ONE person they know who needs the love of Jesus. This Sunday we are going to make the commit for EACH ONE ... REACH ONE. Each person to use 2010 to reach someone for Christ. You can see a sample of the card we are going to use. Each person is to be challenged to fill out a card and leave it at the steps, symbolizing they are laying that person at the feet of Jesus. Another card will be signed by the person and taken home and prayed over as they do their best to win that person to Christ.

Tell me, what would our world be like if each of us lead just ONE PERSON to Christ in 2010? It would be amazing.

If you would like to hear the sermon preached, click on the image below. You may need to turn up your volume.

jan '10

2010-01-06T11:55:00.000-08:00

nov09

2009-11-02T11:07:00.000-08:00

revival services

2009-10-08T06:47:00.001-07:00

September already?!?!?!

2009-09-01T10:51:00.001-07:00

august; ups and downs

2009-08-31T11:37:00.001-07:00

Have you ever noticed that different times remind you of different things? The month of August is one of those times. August has great significance in my life for many reasons. Here are just a few.

August 15, 1989. I turned 15½ and my dad took me to the Skiatook tag office and I got my driver’s permit. This meant freedom on the road ...... (as long as I had a licensed driver of 18 years or older with me). Great day!

August 28, 1990. This was the MOST IMPORTANT day of my life. This was the day I accepted Christ into my life to be my Lord and Savior. Sitting in a baseball stadium in Bartlesville, OK, at a Jay Strack Crusade I realized that I had never placed my faith in Christ. I gave my life to Christ that night and I praise Him for His wonderful salvation.

August 10, 1997. It was on this day that I became the Minister of Youth at Calvary Baptist Church in Tulsa, OK. I was 23 years old and elated to be serving the Lord in this wonderful church. It was in this church that I met my wonderful wife Shelly. We were married in this church on September 18, 1999 (almost 10 years of marriage). Our first two children were born while we served at Calvary, and I fell in love with overseas missions at Calvary, leading teams into Eastern Europe and twice into Peru. God blessed me allowing me to serve there for almost 8 years.

August 29, 2007. This was a day that at first glance is not a blessing. I was asked to step down from a ministry position and find employment somewhere else. It was a devastating blow, but one I can look back on and praise God for what He has done. My family was hurt but God has healed us and made us stronger for it. I praise God for what He allowed to happen on August 29, 2007, now over two years ago.

Our lives are filled with ups and downs. Anyone who knows anything will testify to this. But how you respond to the downs is what builds your character. Yes, great things happened to me and my family in August, but quite possibly the most difficult situation I have ever had to face happened in August as well. But because of what happened God is being glorified because no matter what problem or obstacle I face, God is there and will always give the strength we need to praise Him. Always remember John 16:33 which reads, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You WILL have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

In Christ,
Scott

august

2009-08-03T07:15:00.001-07:00

FREE PICTURE

2009-07-29T06:56:00.000-07:00

oldies

2009-07-07T08:25:00.000-07:00

I can remember the summer after my 4th grade year and our RA class (Royal Ambassadors for those of you unfamiliar with Southern Baptist stuff) went to the All-State football game at Tulsa. It was the same night Mary Lou Retton won the gold medal at the LA Olympics for the vault. They announced it over the loud speakers.

As time went on and I went to college, I had come home for a visit and my mom yelled at me to clean out my closet. Of course being the good son I did what she said and I did it with a smile. As I was going through my things I came across the program for that game. You can see the cover here.

I began to look through the pages and remember that night back in 1984. But something struck me when I turned to the page for Henryetta. There was a picture of a Senior in High School named Troy Aikman. WOW. I had no idea what I had in my closet all these years.

I am not a big Cowboys fan. As a matter of fact I don’t like them at all. Call me un-American if you like. Whatever! But as I think about that book I wonder how many times we forget about the treasure we have in the Bible. We place it on a shelf and pull it out once a week for church.

That 1984 program is probably not worth anything unless there is some big Aikman fan out there willing to buy it (opening bids begin at $1,000). But never forget the power of the word of God. Over the years people have tried to destroy it but God’s Word will always be here to lead us and guide us.

Scott

Acts 4:13

VBS!!!

2009-05-31T16:17:00.000-07:00

Cook Out

2009-05-24T16:08:00.000-07:00

time

2009-05-08T07:28:00.000-07:00

I have found time to blog today so here goes......................................................

Man, I am having a hard time trying to find something to say. Here we go....

My dad, the infamous Ron Watkins (and no I don't mean "in" famous as in the Amigos) put together a Hominy High School Alumni VS. Varsity tennis match yesterday. I played doubles with Bryant Brown, a 1997 HHS graduate. I am a 1992 grad so we are a bit older than the 18 year olds we played. We had a great time. Bryant and I won 6-2, 6-2 and actually did pretty good in the process.

We had some BAD shots but also some really good ones. My shoulder is giving me problems but that comes with age. My ankle that I sprained last year about this time is still a bit tender but I am getting used to it. All in all it was a good day for the old boy.

But the older I get the more I realize I can't do as much as I would like. My joints are stiff and my legs just don't have the same zeal they used to have. I wonder how many of us are like this spiritually? When we first get saved we could, as the old saying goes, "Attack hell with a water pistol." Then we start to slow down and there is not that excitement anymore. What do we have to do to get that excitement back? I think we have to do like the Alumni did yesterday. Get back out there and do it again.

I want to encourage you, regardless where you are in your spiritual journey, to get out there. You might be a bit tired and wore out but so many times the best remedy is getting out there and doing what you love best and that is living for and loving Jesus and telling others about Him. When we do this we will find that our energy level for Him and our passion for His will grows and gives us strength. Plus when you get back in it for Christ you don't feel near as sore as you do when you take a 10 year break from tennis. Ugh!

Scott
Acts 4:13

fireproof

2009-04-27T07:51:00.000-07:00

seat

2009-04-15T08:14:00.001-07:00

Are you involved in Sunday School? If not we'd love to help you connect. Don't let your seat be empty. Join us for Sunday School each Sunday at 9:45.

Rally

2009-03-29T07:08:00.001-07:00

May 2nd, our church is hosting an Area-Wide Student Rally. If you are thinking or contemplating, or just pondering if you should attend, let me settle it this way. You need to come. It will be the biggest thing to hit Pawnee County since Kim Tilley won the Rodeo Queen pageant. You will not want to miss.

You may ask, “Why is this going to be such a big deal?” Well, numero uno, the Brian Meister Band will be leading us in worship. This band is so hot you can fry an egg on them. You will be loving their killer sound, dude. Second, Shane Hall will be speaking. He was John McCain’s second choice as a Vice-Presidential candidate after Sarah Palin. John thought Sarah had better legs. He should have looked a little closer. Third, a Nintendo Wii will be given away at this event. The Wii is one of the most popular attractions at the local retirement centers. And even if you have one, win it and sell it. BAM! Instant $200. How can you say no to that?

Finally, this could potentially be the best night in the history of your friends’ lives. Christ will be shared and people will have the opportunity to come to Him in salvation. How does it get any better than this? So if you are thinking about coming, do it. If you want a flyer to take to your friends, click on the picture and print it off. Hope to see you at Terlton’s First Baptist Church at 7:00 on Saturday, May 2nd! It will be SLAMMIN’!

Also, if you have a Facebook account, click on http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=151186515191&ref=ts to join this event. See you on May 2nd.

april 2009

2009-03-26T09:21:00.001-07:00

Here is the monthly calendar for Terlton's First Baptist Church.

dig deeper

2009-03-25T10:25:00.000-07:00

Last week during Spring Break I had the pleasure of being the speaker at a Youth Retreat/DiscipleNow in Disney, OK, at an event called Dig Deeper. There were about 6 churches there and about 140 people (students and sponsors) in attendance. God did some really cool stuff while we were there.

I challenged each student to have me ask them two questions. It is something we have done before that way we can get with them individually and get to know them plus ask them about their salvation. Most of the students did this and I got to know them pretty well.

By the end of the week we had 5 students come to salvation in Christ and another 8 or so made recommitments. Most of the students took a challenge we gave them to reach one person for Christ this year. Be in prayer for these students. They listened very intently and responded to God's call. I am confident they will be used if they will just allow God to do so.

All for Him,
Scott
Acts 4:13

video

2009-03-03T09:40:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQtJlizc6j4

Click on the link above and see the picture video I made of my Malawi mission trip. Thanks.

Scott
Acts 4:13

wow

2009-02-27T09:08:00.000-08:00

Wow is about the best word I can think of to help you understand what God did. We are currently in Nairobi, Kenya, and about to get on a flight to London. Wednesday we went out to a village that we almost didn't get to. As a matter of fact, only half of our team made it because the road was so bad. The vehicle I was in called the other that was leaving about 34 minutes later and told them not to come because the road was so bad and if it rained we would all be stranded.

We got to the village and I taught the adults again through the life of Joseph. Jamie taught the baptism class and Abe taught the youth. Then we went down to the baptism time and that is where it got crazy. Jamie and I baptized 147 people. Yes, 147. It was amazing as the people were everywhere. 18 churches were represented.

Then we went back and I preached and had another 15 come to Christ. It was cool. That night we went to another village and showed the Jesus Film. That night I got to preach again and 75 responded to the Gospel. There are so many times I put limitations on God. How dare I?

We went to Lake Malawi yesterday and to a market for our fun day. But before we got there we visited the Baptist Clinic and Oprhanage. It was breath taking. The orphanage is still in the process of being built and it being built on land owned by a Muslim village. The Chief gave it to the Baptists to build. God works even when we think He won't. The lady running the clinic and orphanage needs our prayers. She is amazing. She sold her house to make sure the orphanage can be built. How much to we hord to ourselves when others need to hear the word.

Please keep us in your prayers as well. We fly from here to London to Detroit to OKC. Hopefully it will go by fast. I will post again when we are safe and sound in Terlton. Thanks so much and God bless.

Scott
Acts 4:13

amazing

2009-02-24T09:11:00.000-08:00

Our God is amazing. We have had a great time. Yesterday we went out to a village about an hour from Lilongwe and in the morning went out with an interpreter each. Mine was Godfrey, or Bishop. We came to three men standing along side the road. One of them was a police officer. We began to share with them about Christ and all three men said they wanted to accept Christ as Savior, even the police officer. Godfrey, who is a pastor, told me that he has never seen a police officer come to Christ. It was pretty awesome.

We began to walk up a street and they stopped us and told us to go back down the street and we would see a market with a lot of people and we could tell them about Christ. When we got there I asked Godfrey if I could preach there and ask people if they wanted to receive Christ. He went in to ask the people inside if we could because everyone was outside trying to get in to the market. They said it was OK so I began to preach. I then led them in a sinner's prayer and asked them by a show of hands who sincerely prayed to receive Christ. Gedfrey said there was about 100 people there and about 60 raised their hands. We encouraged them to go to the church we were working at that day. It was fantastic.

Then we walked down the road and began to speak to two women who were selling peanuts. Godfrey asked them if we could talk with them for a minute. They said that is fine and we began to share with them. They told me that it took good works to get into heaven so we showed them Ephesians 2:8-9 where Paul tells us it is our faith in God and His grace for us and not by our works. They understood and wanted to receive Christ. We prayed with them and instantly their faces changed. What a day, actually morning it was, because the day was NOT over.

After this we had a baptism service and baptized 12 people. Then in the afternoon we went to "the projects" of Lilongwe and went door to door. Godfrey and I were able to lead 14 people to the Lord in the afternoon. God truly is moving in this nation.

Today three of us (myself, Richard "Tank", and Abe) went to Godfrey's church and ministered to them. There were three churches together to be in Bible study, Baptism, and a sermon. I taught the adults and led them quickly through the life of Joseph (Old Testament) in an hour. Then we went outside and had the baptism service. Tank and I baptised 52 people (26 each). It was great.

Then Godfrey had us come in and after we had them sing, which is utterly amazing, I preached a sermon from Romans 5:8 (God demonstrates His own love for us in while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us). It was the same as I preached in the market. Of the 100 or so people, 40 prayed to receive Christ. It was an amazing day.

Thank you so much for your prayers. We visited the Seminary here and there is much prayer asked for from the leadership. Keep the Baptist Theological Seminary of Malawi in your prayers. Their heart is to train pastors and their wives in how to pastor the church.

I love you and thank you for prayers. God is sooooooo good and it is my pleasure to serve Him.

Scott
Acts 4:13

Lilongwe

2009-02-22T21:40:00.000-08:00

We are safe and sound in Lilongwe, Malawi. We got here around noon yesterday and went immediately to the churches. Our two groups baptized 15 yesterday and are going to have more services today hopefully baptizing around 60 or so. These people really love the Lord and you can see it in their faces as they sing and listen to the word.

My time is limited because we are leaving this morning in about 10 minutes. Thank you so much for your prayers and thoughts. God is truly moving in this area and we look forward to what He is going to do the rest of the time we are here. Thanks so much and God bless.

Scott
Acts 4:13

nairobi

2009-02-21T04:34:00.000-08:00

Today we are in Nairobi, Kenya. Our flight got delayed 5 hours last night because there was a problem with the plane. They had to fly the part in from Paris to repair it. I thought London was a big enough place that they could have just fixed it with British parts. I guess not.

So with that we missed our connecting flight to Malawi to Kenya Airlines put us up in a hotel in Nairobi and it is fantastic. They are feeding us and we just ate an amazing lunch. The room is great. They are going to pick us up in the morning at 6:00 for an 8:30 flight. BUT, we have to go through Zimbabwe first before we get to Malawi and we will get there at 12:30 and hit the ground running. It is going to be great.

I was very concerned about coming into Kenya because I was not able to get my yellow fever shot. But the customs people did not look at my shot records and I was OK. We are definitely being spoiled in this hotel. Tomorrow all that changes but we are ready for God to use us in Malawi.

Continue to pray for us as we believe God has us HERE in Kenya for a reason, beside just pampering us. We have become friends with a lady from UK traveling to Malawi. We are not sure she is a believer but invited her to eat lunch with us and such since she is by herself. Her name is Sue.

God is good all the time and all the time God is good. Thanks for your prayers and I hope to blog more during the week. As I have said before I don't know what my internet access will be like so I will update when I can. Thanks so much and God bless.

Scott
Acts 4:13

London

2009-02-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

Our group is in London now and about to leave for Kenya and then Malawi. Keep us in your prayers as we have another 9 hour flight. Thanks for all the prayers and we will report more when we can. God bless.

Scott
Acts 4:13

ABOUT AN HOUR LATER:

We are sitting in the London Airport about to leave for Kenya and then London. Really fighting jet lag right now. I could not sleep on the plane last night because we had a bunch of teenagers from England who had been skiing in Colorado talking and laughing loudly all the way to London sitting right in front of me. Then an hour before we land they are asleep. JERK KIDS.

Hopefully we will get sleep on this flight. It is nine hours and then we have about two hours and fly into Malawi. Looking at our itenerary it will be a busy time, which is good because we are only here about 6 days. Be in prayer for the churches we are working with. From my understanding they are excited about what the Lord is doing and wanting to see even more.

Also be praying for Shelly and the girls. I don't like being away from them so long, especially out of the country.

Lastly pray for my heart. I know it is jet lag but I am really weary and not wanting to do anything right now, even blog. I know God is going to do marvelous things and I don't want selfishness on my part to get in the way.

I hope to update this while in Malawi but I am not sure about internet access. Check back and we will have to wait and see. Thanks for your prayers and support and I will hopefully talk to you via blogspot soon.

Scott
Acts 4:13

leaving

2009-02-18T11:53:00.000-08:00

I leave tomorrow for Malawi (SE Africa). I will be gone until Saturday, February 28. Please be in prayer for my wife and girls as I am gone. The last time I was out of the country for a trip like this for this length we only had one child. It was also on that trip that I found out that Shelly was pregnant with Sydney (found out via email).

I am really excited about what God is going to do. There are six of us going and I believe only 4 are ordained so I may end up doing more than I originally anticipated. If you are unfamiliar about what our trip entails, click on http://watkinsscott.blogspot.com/2008/10/malawi.html to read about it.

I recently found out that the average life span in Malawi is only 36 and the average person is under 16. AIDS has ravaged this nation so much. Pray for the Malawians that they will be able to truly comprehend the love of Christ. They are the 3rd poorest nation in the world but really don’t know that. They truly need Jesus.

I am going to try to blog while I am there but obviously my internet access will be limited. Have a wonderful day and I will tell you all about my trip when I get home.

Scott
Acts 4:13

random

2009-02-06T08:59:00.000-08:00

This is something I found on Facebook. Feel free to read it, if you have time to kill. This is 25 random things about moi.

1. My name is Scott David Watkins and I was born on February 15, 1974, at Grady County Hospital in Chickasha, OK.

2. I have a wife named Shelly that I have been married to since September 18, 1999, and we have three girls. Taylor is 6 going on 17, Sydney is 3 and will be 4 in March, and Emiley turned 2 in December.

3. I played tennis all through out middle school, high school and played in college at OBU.

4. In high school I was a four time conference champion at #1 singles. I think I am the only person who has done that in the conference we played in.

5. I played on the Varsity tennis team at Oklahoma Baptist University. My senior year I was #3 on the team and Team Co-Captain.

6. I was the starting quarterback on my high school football team my senior year. My junior year I started at wide receiver. But I only started the first half of the season at QB my senior year and lost my position. I went back to WR. I was upset about it but I was still getting to play. I have the distinction of throwing a touchdown, running for a touchdown, and catching a touchdown all in the same season, in two different seasons (11th & 12th grades).

7. I was 8th grade spelling champion but I still need spell check.

8. My dad was my Middle School principal, my 10th grade U.S. history teacher, and my 12th grade government teacher. Oh, and my HS tennis coach. I got a lot of crap from people over that.

9. My sister, Stefani, is 4 ½ years older than me and used to beat me up all the time until I was about nine. Then I discovered WWF and learned the moves. I made her cry. She didn’t touch me after that.

10. I was a trombone major my freshman year in college. YES, TROMBONE. But I gave that up because I realized that I stunk at it. So I changed my major to Youth Ministry. Now I realize that I stunk at that too because I ended up with a degree in Pastoral Ministry which I am doing now. God has a funny sense of humor.

11. I was in Youth Ministry for 15 years. Now I am doing the one thing I DID NOT want to do. Pastor a church.

12. I Pastor the greatest church in the known universe, and the unknown universe, but how can I prove that if I don’t know what else is out there?

13. I was my oldest daughter’s t-ball coach when she was 3 and 4. I got volunteered to do that one. It was a hoot!

14. I have “retired” from pick up basketball because back in May of 2008, I sprained my ankle playing with college aged guys. The doctor said, and I quote, “You sprained the crap out of it.” Thanks for being clinical.

15. I met my wife Shelly at OBU, even though she denies it. She was with Walker Moore and Awe Star Ministries http://www.awestar.org/ and they were recruiting students for overseas missions. I know I met her and my college address is in their computers. But we “officially” met at a lock-in at Calvary Baptist Church in Tulsa on October 23, 1998. I spilled Coke on her. It was love at first spill.

16. I knew within two weeks of meeting her that she was going to be my wife. Seriously. I bought a ring 3 weeks after our lock-in experience.

17. I believe I have some sort of a speech problem. There are certain words and phrases I have a hard time saying without the words getting jumbled and such. But God has called me to communicate the Gospel and He uses what I think is an inability for His glory.

18. I was in a rap group in College called PNEUMA, meaning God-breathed.

19. My best friend is my wife. My best dude friend is Brandon McCombs. He has been there for me in difficult times and fun times. Even though he is a jerk when he beats me a NCAA football on XBOX and playstation.

20. I am going to Malawi on a mission trip February 19–28. I am extremely pumped about it. To get more information about it go to http://watkinsscott.blogspot.com/2008/10/malawi.html.

21. I have led mission teams all over the U.S. as well as into Eastern Europe and Peru. I love Peru and the Peruvians and hope to go back soon.

22. I believe the best way to watch a TV series is on DVD. That way you can skip commercials and watch the next episode immediately after the one you just watched. No better way. My wife and I watched the first four seasons of Alias in 5 weeks. Still waiting on the 5th and final season but I know it will be here soon. Thanks Jeremy.

23. My favorite movie of all time is The Three Amigos with Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Chevy Chase. “One for each other and all for one, the three brave Amigos are we!” “They called us scum sucking pigs, us!”

24. My favorite TV show of all time is Seinfeld. I want to get the Seinfeld SceneIt game. They have it at Wal-Mart for $19 but my wife thought that would be a waste of $19. But my birthday is coming up (hint, hint)!

25. I gave my life to Christ at the age of 16, on August 28, 1990, at a Jay Strack Crusade in Bartlesville, OK. I surrendered my life to serve Him in the ministry about a year later. I wouldn’t change it for the world!

february

2009-01-30T16:04:00.001-08:00

shots!!!

2009-01-14T11:53:00.000-08:00

In a little over a month I will be traveling to the nation of Malawi on a mission trip with other pastors. I am very excited about this trip. If any of you have not read about what we will be doing click on http://watkinsscott.blogspot.com/2008/10/malawi.html and you can get the information.

The one thing I am NOT excited about is the shots. I have an appointment scheduled at the Tulsa City/County Health Department next Thursday the 22nd at 10 am. They are going to give me about 5 shots ranging from Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, MMR, Tetanus, and Yellow Fever. I have a strong feeling I am going to be sore. But I guess it is all to keep my young strapping body from getting sick. The price you pay for looking this good (I am not seriously this conceited).

The dates for the trip at February 19–28 (Thursday–Saturday). My funds have come in very well and I am so grateful. I will ask you to pray for me as I prepare spiritually and physically. I know this will be a physically demanding trip as I will be baptizing around 500 people in 7 days. But also I want to have the right frame of mind spiritually. I want to be used by God in whatever way He desires.

Pray for my family as I will be gone. Shelly is already nervous about having the psychos by herself so please remember her. Lastly I ask you to pray for the people of Malawi. This is a nation where the Muslims are trying to infiltrate and we need to reach them for Christ. God is more powerful than our words and deeply desires for the people in Malawi to know Him.

While in Malawi I will try to update you about what we are doing on this blog. I am not sure what internet options I will have but I will do my best to keep you all informed. Thanks for taking time to read this and I hope you have a blessed day.

Scott Watkins
Acts 4:13

anniversary

2009-01-05T11:56:00.000-08:00

My first Sunday as Pastor of Terlton’s First Baptist Church was January 6, 2008. Time really does fly when you are having fun. What a blessing it has been to be the Pastor of such a loving, caring group of believers.

But 2008 was not necessarily a banner year for me. On Thursday, May 16, 2008, I severely sprained my ankle playing basketball at the Christian Church in Cleveland. Of course being 34 I thought I could still play with 20 year olds but I was mistaken. It swelled up like a beach ball and even to this day it hurts to do TOO much on it. I cannot run at 100% yet.

Then as most of you know, my family was involved in a major automobile accident on Tuesday, October 28, 2008. I am not going to go into the details about the accident but you can click on http://watkinsscott.blogspot.com/2008/10/sore.html to read more about it. It was such a scary time as my wife and children are hurt and crying and unsure of what was happening. When they take us away in an ambulance and my children are strapped to gurneys, you feel a lot of emotions.

But I would not trade 2008 for anything. Even in the midst of horrifying circumstances God has shown just how good He is. He allowed me to love my family even more and His church as well. He was there with us in the ambulance and the hospital as tests were run. And He will be there with us no matter where we are. I don’t know what your resolutions are for 2008, but always remember that whether it is 2009 or 2109, God is good and He is there.

Scott
Acts 4:13

Christmas Test

2008-12-24T18:41:00.000-08:00

Here is a Christmas test. If you want to take it, answer the questions and give me your email address and I will send you the answer sheet.

1. Jesus was born on December 25th. (True or False)

2. Joseph was from:
a. Bethlehem
b. Jerusalem
c. Nazareth
d. Egypt
e. Minnesota
f. None of the above

3. How did Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem?
a. Camel
b. Donkey
c. Walked
d. Volkswagen
e. Joseph walked, Mary rode a donkey
f. Who knows

4. Mary and Joseph were married when Mary became pregnant. (True or False)

5. Mary and Joseph were married when Jesus was born. (True or False)

6. Mary was a virgin when she delivered Jesus. (True or False)

7. What did the innkeeper tell Mary and Joseph?
a. There is no room in the inn.
b. I have a stable you can use.
c. Come back after the Christmas rush and I should have some room.
d. Both A and B
e. None of the above.

8. Jesus was delivered in a:
a. Stable
b. Manger
c. Cave
d. Barn
e. Unknown

9. A “manger” is a:
a. Stable for domestic animals.
b. Wooden hay storage bin.
c. Feeding trough.
d. Barn.

10. Which animals does the Bible say were present at Jesus’ birth?
a. cows, sheep, goats.
b. cows, donkeys, sheep.
c. sheep and goats only.
d. miscellaneous barnyard animals.
e. lions, tigers, bears (oh my!).
f. None of the above.

11. Who saw the star in the east?
a. Shepherds.
b. Mary and Joseph.
c. Three kings.
d. Both A and C.
e. None of the above.

12. How many angels spoke to the shepherds?
a. One
b. Three
c. A “Multitude”
d. None of the above.

13. What “sign” did the angels tell the shepherd to look for?
a. “This way to baby Jesus.”
b. A star over Bethlehem.
c. A baby that doesn’t cry.
d. A house with pretty Christmas lights.
e. A baby in a stable.
f. None of the above.

14. What did the angels sing?
a. “Joy to the world, the Lord is Come.”
b. “Alleluia”
c. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.”
d. “Glory to God in the highest,” etc.
e. “Glory to the newborn King”
f. “My sweet Lord”

15. What is a Heavenly Host?
a. An angel at the gate of Heaven.
b. The angel who invites people to Heaven.
c. An angel who serves drinks in Heaven.
d. An angelic choir.
e. An angelic army.
f. None of the above.

16. The baby Jesus cried:
a. When the doctor slapped him on his bottom.
b. When the little drummer boy started banging on his drum.
c. Just like other babies.
d. He never cried.

17. What is “frankincense”?
a. precious metal.
b. A precious fabric.
c. A precious perfume.
d. Monster money.
e. None of the above.

18. What is “myrrh”?
a. An easily shaped metal.
b. A spice used for burying people.
c. A drink.
d. Aftershave lotion.
e. None of the above.

19. How many wise men came to see Jesus? (Write in the correct number.)

20. What does “wise men” refer to?
a. Men of the educated class.
b. They were eastern Kings.
c. They were astrologers.
d. They were smart enough to follow a star.
e. They were “sages.”

21. The wise men found Jesus in a:
a. Manger
b. Stable
c. House
d. Holiday Inn
e. Good Mood

22. The wise men stopped in Jerusalem:
a. To inform Herod about Jesus.
b. To find out where Jesus was.
c. To ask about the star they saw.
d. For gas.
e. To buy presents for Jesus.
f. To give their Lottie Moon Christmas offering.

23. Where do we find the Christmas story in order to check up on all these ridiculous questions?
a. Matthew
b. Mark
c. Luke
d. John
e. All of the above
f. Only A and B
g. Only A and C
h. Only A, B and C
i. Only X, Y and Z
j. Aesops Fables

24. Who told Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem?
a. The angel.
b. Mary’s mother.
c. Herod.
d. Caesar Augustus.
e. Alexander the Great.
f. They followed the star.
g. No one told them to.

25. Joseph took the baby Jesus to Egypt:
a. To show him the pyramids.
b. To teach him the wisdom of the Pharaohs.
c. To put him in a basket in the reeds by the river.
d. Because he dreamed it.
e. To be taxed.
f. Joseph did not take Jesus to Egypt.
g. None of the above.

EXTRA CREDIT
There was snow that first Christmas:
a. Only in Bethlehem.
b. All over Israel.
c. Nowhere in Israel.
d. Somewhere in Israel.
e. Mary and Joseph only “dreamed” of a White Christmas.

me

2008-12-19T09:57:00.001-08:00

I am the Pastor at Terlton’s First Baptist Church in Terlton, OK. Terlton is a community of about 90 people located in Pawnee county. I have been the Pastor of FBC since January 1, 2008. Before coming to Terlton I spent 15 years in Student Ministry working with students in Oklahoma and Texas. I also have a passion for missions, having led groups into multiple places in the US as well as taking groups into Eastern Europe and Peru. In February of 2009, I went with a group of ministers into the nation of Malawi. It was absolutely amazing. God truly poured blessing on our group as well as the people in Malawi. If you want to see pictures and music from the trip, click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQtJlizc6j4. I went back to Malawi in March of 2010. Our team saw 414 people come to faith in Christ in 5 days of ministry. Click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CfcftDUabM to see a video from that trip. God blessed me again by sending me to Malawi in March 2011 and our team led 315 people to saving faith in Jesus. Click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTCwrDE4J3U to see the video of this trip.

My wife Shelly and I have been married since September of 1999 and we have three daughters. Taylor Michelle was born November of 2001, Sydney Paige was born March of 2005, and Emiley Ryanne was born December of 2006. We have one dog, a Manchester Terrier named Flo, and about five cats that hang out around our home - but they don’t count because cats are worthless.

I was 16 years old when I accepted Christ as my Savior and Lord and followed His call in my life to serve Him in ministry about a year later. I was raised in church and knew all about God but didn’t have a meaningful relationship until then. My heartbeat and passion is for people to know that they are called to be more than average Christians. They are called to be passionate disciples of Christ. My life verse is Acts 4:13 which reads, “When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and knew that they had been with Jesus.” When people see us do they notice something different about us? But more importantly do they see us as people who have been with Jesus?

God Bless,
Scott Watkins

elf!

2008-12-16T08:11:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51jPWSSEGyM

Click on the above link. Merry Christmas!

congress?????

2008-12-10T14:33:00.000-08:00

I recently read this article at http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3760232. I went ahead and copy and pasted here for you to read. Check this out!

WASHINGTON -- Taking aim at a BCS system he said "consistently misfires," a member of Congress planned to introduce legislation Wednesday that would force college football to adopt a playoff to determine the national champion.

Rep. Joe Barton of Texas, the ranking Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, didn't specify what sort of playoff he wants -- only that the BCS should go.

"In some years the sport's national championship winner was left unsettled, and at least one school was left out of the many millions of dollars in revenue that accompany the title," Barton said in a statement released ahead of the bill's introduction. "Despite repeated efforts to improve the system, the controversy rages on."

He said the bill -- being co-sponsored by Reps. Bobby Rush, an Illinois Democrat, and Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican -- "will prohibit the marketing, promotion, and advertising of a postseason game as a 'national championship' football game, unless it is the result of a playoff system. Violations of the prohibition will be treated as violations of the Federal Trade Commission Act as an unfair or deceptive act or practice."

The BCS was created in 1998 by the six most powerful conferences. Since then, the system has been tweaked to make it easier for teams from smaller conferences to qualify for the top games. The sites for the four BCS bowls -- the Rose, Orange, Sugar and Fiesta -- take turns hosting a championship game between the top two teams in the BCS standings, which are based on two human polls and six computer ratings.

This season, Florida (12-1) and Oklahoma (12-1) will meet in the BCS title game Jan. 8 in Miami.

Barton cited Southern California in 2003 and undefeated Auburn in 2004 as examples of worthy teams left out of the BCS national championship game.

"This year, we again have two teams with one loss each playing for the 'championship,' while two undefeated teams and four additional teams with only one loss will play in bowl games, but none can become 'champion," he said.

When an Energy and Commerce subcommittee held a hearing about the BCS in 2005, lawmakers said they weren't going to pursue legislation.

"The BCS method of determining who is No. 1 consistently misfires," Barton said Wednesday. "Simply exposing the flaws and subjecting them to discussion ... hasn't led to improvement by those who run the system."

© 2008 by The Associated Press

Excuse me, but who does Congress think they are? What makes them think they can pass a law that forces these institutions to change a system for football? We are not talking about raising teacher's salaries (which needs to be done). We are not talking about making the learning environment more conducive for all students (which needs to be done). We are not even talking about helping our economy, which we would all agree needs to be done.

The job of Congress is not to regulate Collegiate Athletics but to make our nation safer and stronger for its people. I wish Congress would take care of what they need to take care of and let the institutions do their jobs. How immature we become when our team gets left out! Get over it Texas!!!!!!!!!!

december

2008-12-03T16:40:00.001-08:00

sore

2008-10-31T19:23:00.000-07:00

Many of you have heard but some have not. Tuesday October 28, our family was involved in a major car accident. I had preached my uncle’s funeral and was returning from Tahlequah, where my parents live, back to Cleveland for Taylor’s soccer practice. All five of us were in the van together. As I am driving West on highway 412, I glance up to see the price of gas at a gas station right along the road. When I look back at the road I see our van traveling right toward a DHL van that had crossed over the median to go north on the other side of our lane. We smashed right into the center back of his van. The speed limit was 70 and my cruise control was set. I hit my brake as soon as I could but it was not in time.

The next thing I know our airbags deploy and our car is spinning. When our car comes to a stop I unbuckle my seatbelt as does Shelly, and we get out of the car and begin to get the girls out. Emiley has blood in her mouth and Sydney is crying as well. We yell back to Taylor in the back seat and she does not respond. After a few seconds she finally does and says her foot is hurt. All of the sudden people started showing up. An off duty police officer and off duty fireman came. Another man set up reflecting triangles on the road.

We get the girls out and an ambulance shows up and we get the girls in on gurneys. We all get in the ambulance together and they take us to Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa. They run multiple test and everything came back negative. No broken bones, but bruises. I did have some glass in my hand from the windshield that they had to take out and some stitches but that is it. God was so with us in the van.

I took Shelly to the ER today because we could not get into the doctor's office. She has been complaining about dizzy spells and spinning rooms. I told her it is probably the Jack Daniels (just kidding). So she went in and the doctor did some tests and told her that he thinks she has vertigo (same title as the U2 song). So he prescribed some stuff for her and she is taking it. Then we took the girls to Tulsa for a follow up visit and the doctor is very impressed with how well they are doing. It is amazing how God has taken care of us.

I can’t put into words how much I appreciate all the prayers and comments we have received. We are so blessed to have such good friends and family. We are still a bit sore but making every day at a time. Thanks for taking time to read this and God bless.

Scott Watkins

Acts 4:13

president???

2008-10-23T10:55:00.001-07:00

http://www.inews3.com/topstory.php?id=53636f74747c5761746b696e73

Click on the above link and see who just threw their hat in the ring.

pumpkins as far as the eye can see

2008-10-16T07:53:00.000-07:00

Today we are taking kids to an Apple Orchard and Pumpkin Patch over in Porter. I have no idea how many kids will show up. We may have two, we may have 20. I am not sure that I have ever really been to a pumpkin patch so this is a nice new experience for me. And we are picking up the girls since they have been staying with my parents since Tuesday.

Be in prayer for me as I am preaching Revival services at First Baptist Church in Pawnee. It will begin this Sunday and go through Thursday night. I have only preached one other revival and that was for a friend. When you are in Youth Ministry as long as I was you don't get a lot of invitations to do revivals so I am really excited about this.

That is all that is in my head for today. Hope you all have a great week and weekend and God bless.

In Christ Alone,
Scott
Acts 4:13

malawi

2008-10-08T14:06:00.000-07:00

It has been quite a while since I have posted anything. I hope no one’s life lies in the balance based on whether I post or not. There has been a lot happening and we have been incredibly busy.

I am extremely excited to share with you some information. I am going to Malawi February 19–28, 2009. Where is Malawi you ask? Click on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malawi and you can read all about it. As you will be able to see when you click on the link, Malawi is in Africa. This tiny nation is desperately in need of the Gospel. The team I am going with consists of ministers from Oklahoma. In order to baptize people in Malawi their churches require you to be an ordained minister (got that covered in December of 1999). In order to be a leader in the church (as a deacon, elder, or whatever) you must be baptized. There are approximately 50,000 to 60,000 people in Malawi waiting to be baptized. They just don’t have enough ordained ministers. A pastor friend of mine is organizing this trip and we will be baptizing and ministering to the people. There are about 8 of us going and we will line up and baptize about 10, then the next person will baptize 10, then the next. The group leader said we will baptize anywhere between 500–700 people. WOW!

This will be the first overseas mission trip I have attended since 2004. I have really missed doing this. I have had a burden for this type of ministry for quite some time. I am asking everyone to be in prayer for me and this team as we prepare for this endeavor. It will be amazing.

Also be in prayer for me as I raise the money to go. The cost of the trip with airfare, lodging, on the ground travel, food, basically everything I need is around $3,000. I am confident that God is going to provide for this trip (www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2050:10;&version=77;). He always has for my trips and He will for this one. But please keep me in your prayers as I step out on this exciting opportunity.

Hope you all are having a great week and please feel free to post comments. Thanks and God bless.

Scott
Acts 4:13

October Calendar

2008-10-01T09:03:00.001-07:00

video

2008-09-26T17:47:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDlMMgV2GkM

Click on the above link and see the new video I posted. Take care.

Scott
Acts 4:13

yesterday

2008-09-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday was mine and Shelly's 9 year wedding anniversary. It is amazing how fast time flyes when your having ........ well you know. Actually we have had a wonderful marriage. God has blessed us with three beautiful girls, a great church to serve in, and all the things we need in this life. I am not sure why God takes such good care of us but I do know He sure does.

Tonight (Friday) my parents are coming in and I am taking Shelly to Tulsa. We have gift cards to Outback and Cheesecake Factory. Also we are going to spend the night at a nice hotel and I rather not tell you because I know people (David Fensler and Jordan Sauceda) who would come and bother us. But we are excited about getting away and just spending some time together.

It has been a great nine years and I am looking forward to the next 41 or however many there are. You all have a great day and we will blog at you later.

Scott

Acts 4:13

ahhh

2008-09-10T13:07:00.000-07:00

I really hate being sick. I hate it even more when my girls are. The past couple of nights in the Watkins house have been interesting to say the least. Monday night I was not feeling too spiffy. And Taylor was a bit puney too. She woke up in the middle of the night and starting throwing up (but as she likes to say, she was pukin'). Then around 4:00 in the morning Sydney wakes up ralphing as well, all in her hair and such. So I clean her up and give her a bath and all I can think about is the puke in her hair. Then I start yelling at the porcelain pony. What a glorious time. But now we are all feeling much better. Taylor stayed home from school yesterday and today and Sydney (goes to pre-school on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays) did not got today.

It is a lot better around our house. Thanks for those who prayed for us and for those who did not because I am sure most of you had no idea what was happening. Anyway, have a great day and watch out for this stomach bug. It will slap you pretty hard!

Scott

Acts 4:13

just a vapor

2008-09-03T10:03:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed that things happen at super speed? I am not referring to Superman, but I suppose we can reference him here. I am referring to the fact that everything around us is moving faster. I heard this as a kid and not sure if I believed it back then or not, but the older you get the faster time seems to move. I have been pastoring this church in Terlton now for a little over 8 months and it seems like three months. Time is moving so fast.

I recently attended the funeral of Dr. Tom Woodson. He was the Pastor of Keystone Hills Baptist Church in Sand Springs, OK. For those of you outside of Oklahoma, that is just west of Tulsa. He was only 47 years old when he died. From what I am told he had a massive heart attack and a blood clot that went to his brain and then a stroke. All this happened while he had been watering his grass. I know that Tom did not wake up that morning and know it would be his last. He probably thought he would live for another 30 years or so. He left behind his wife and three daughters. The daughters are all in Youth age at the church.

The Bible is very specific when it reads in Psalm 144:4, “Man is like a breath (or a vapor); his days are like a passing shadow.” Our lives are quick. You are here today and can be gone tomorrow. Nothing is guaranteed! Just a minute. I made a mistake. If you place your life in Christ He guarantees He will take you to Heaven when you die. Right now Tom Woodson is in Heaven with Christ, enjoying the fullness of who Christ is. But unless you know Christ as your Savior you are guaranteed eternal death in hell. Have you made the choice to allow Christ to be your Lord and Savior? If not, just remember Tom Woodson. He had no idea his life would end that day. But he knew his life was in the hands of the One who saved him while he was in college.

If you have any questions about this please feel free to contact me. I would love to help you. You can read about my decision to follow Christ by clicking on http://www.mostimportantthing.org/People/ShowStory.aspx?t=109. God bless.

Scott
Acts 4:13

deliverance

2008-08-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

For the last year (to date) my mind has been swimming in an ocean of wonder. Wondering what has happened. I am not going to go into detail about what happened on this date last year to make this my D-Day, but I can say with certainty that God has taken care of my family and my self even during the midst of confusion and wonder. God has made His presence known to me even when struggles with anger and frustration creep into my mind.

Many have asked why things happen the way they do. Why would my circumstance happen? If God truly loves and wants to take care of us why would He allow this to take place? In my opinion the only answer is He DOES love me. He loves me enough to allow me to go through hard times so that He can show me just how much He wants to take care of me. If we only had joyful and happy times we could never see God’s awesome presence through the bad times. It is during those bad times that we appreciate Him even more.

I can’t tell you what a joy it has been over the past eight months to be where we are. And looking back what a joy it is to not be where we were. We made some amazing friends (Ryan, Mindi, Jamie, Julie, Debbie, Rick, the Anderson’s, the Chavez’s, and countless others) and we will always be friends with them (love you guys. Sorry to leave people out but I don’t have time to type everyone’s names). But God has shown me so much through the time we were “no where.” I actually substituted in a kindergarten class (5 times). I EVEN subbed in Pre-K. Now that was nuts. Even though I subbed in those classes and many others in those 4 months it was a time where God was preparing me for Big–T, Terlton that is. He prepared my heart for pastoring the best church in the world, and I don’t say that flippantly.

Why do bad things happen to people who do nothing wrong? So that God can show you just how awesome He is. He never promised an easy road, but He did promise that He would be there with you and take you to places only He has for you. What a great God He is!!!

In the blood of Christ,
Scott Watkins
Acts 4:13

the gospel according to superman; part 1

2008-08-25T11:01:00.001-07:00

As many of you know I am a Superman geek. I have a Superman lunch box in my office that I had when I was in grade school. It was one of the old vintage metal ones. It has Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, and Jackie Cooper on it. Such a classic. I also have about 4 Superman t-shirts, a Superman cap, and other Superman memorabilia in my office. To me, Superman is the embodiment of all that is good, other than Christ of course. But Superman is a symbol known around the world as someone good and full of justice.

Of course being a Superman fan I purchased the DVD of Superman Returns (2006) when it first hit the stores. I received Superman 1–4 staring Christopher Reeve from my sister for Christmas. Yesterday I took some time to watch Superman Returns and enjoyed watching my favorite super hero. the movie not receive stellar reviews but watching it for about the 5th time I now have really enjoyed it. But as I watch it I pick up on some interesting things mentioned in this film.

In once scene Superman takes Lois on a private flight into the sky. Lois has won a Pulitzer Prize for an article she wrote entitled, “Why the World Doesn’t Need Superman.” The dialogue goes like this:

Superman: Listen; what do you hear?

Lois Lane: Nothing.

Superman: I hear everything. You wrote that the world doesn’t need a savior, but every day I hear people crying for one.

It seems like there are so many people in our world who believe they don’t need a Savior and they try to accomplish things on their own. But aren’t you glad that God hears everything. He hears the cries of people. You may not realize it but there are people all around the world crying out to God. They may not say it vocally but their very lives tell it. We as Christians can become like Lois. We get so caught up in our own lives and tune people out and forget they need to know about Him.

What are we doing to share the Gospel? It is imperative that we become attentive to the cries of those needing Christ. Make it a commitment to live your life sharing the only thing that can truly save mankind. Not the man in the blue tights but the Man who defeated sin. The ultimate superman – Jesus Christ.

Scott

Acts 4:13

crazy huh???

2008-08-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

Pretty crazy, but D-Day is only seven (7) days away. ARE YOU READY???

it's coming soon!!!

2008-08-19T14:11:00.000-07:00

D–Day will be here soon. Only 10 days away. Make sure you check out this blog then and maybe a couple of times before then too.

Scott
Acts 4:13

what is most important to you?

2008-08-13T11:13:00.000-07:00

When I was growing up, my parents always took us to church. When we woke up on Sunday morning we never asked the question, “Are we going to church today?” We just got up, put on “church” clothes and went. BTW, if I ever DID ask my parents would have slapped my face and told me to get dressed. My dad was our Music Minister and my mom was as faithful as anyone else in the church.

When I was five (5) I began to ask questions about Jesus, mostly because some of my friends were and they were getting baptized and I wanted to be baptized. So I learned the answers and I knelt down by my mom & dad’s bed and my dad led me through a sinner’s prayer. I got baptized and thought it was cool.

When I was nine (9) the cool thing was to be saved AGAIN, and as most people know nine year olds know exactly what “cool” is. (You cannot be saved more than one time. Read John 10:28-30). So at a Vacation Bible School at Calvary Church in Hominy, OK, I asked Jesus to come into my heart. But my prayer was not sincere. Again I was baptized and felt good about myself.

At the age of 16, I was at a crusade in Bartlesville, OK. It was August 28, 1990, and I don’t think I heard a word the preacher was saying. All I remember was that if I did not get saved that night I was going to go to hell. Well, I didn’t want to go to hell. So I went forward at the invitation. A friend of mine saw me and began to talk to me about salvation. He thought I was already saved because I was one of the most active students in our Ministry. He began to talk to me about Scriptures and when he would start on, like Romans 3:23, ‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” I would finish it for him, every verse. I knew it in my head but not in my heart. I had even led a boy to Christ when I was in 7th grade without even knowing Christ myself.

That night in Bartlesville, I came to know Christ as my Lord and Savior. I have had no doubts since then. Since then God has called me to serve Him in ministry and I have been doing that for 15 years. God is so good to me even when I am not good to Him (2 Timothy 2:13 reads, “if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself”).

If you are reading this and have questions about a relationship with God, please feel free to send me a message. I would love to talk to you about the most important decision of your life.

http://www.mostimportantthing.org/People/ShowStory.aspx?t=109

thank You for the cross Lord
thank You for the price You paid
bearing all my sin and shame
in love You came and gave amazing grace
thank You for this love Lord
thank You for the nail pierced hands
washed me in Your cleansing flow
now all i knowYour forgiveness and embrace
worthy is the Lamb seated on the throne
crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious
high and lifted up Jesus Son of God
the Darling of Heaven crucified
worthy is the Lamb
worthy is the Lamb

In Christ,
Scott
Acts 4:13

what the heck are we doing?

2008-08-08T11:31:00.000-07:00

In all honesty I never saw myself being the Pastor of a traditional Baptist church. I believed I would continue in Student Ministry for a few more years (5–8) and then move into a Minister of Missions or even student evangelism. I love proclaiming the Word to students and adults and I love missions; not just going but helping others go as well. So when my Student Ministry days ended abruptly, my thoughts and desires began to change as well.

I saw my friends endure different trials and deacon’s meetings while they served as the Pastor or their churches. Who wants to put themselves through that garbage? I know I didn’t. I was always under the impression that church was a place where people loved the Lord and loved each other and loved sinners to salvation. I guess I was just too naive. I had no idea that the church was a place where grown men and women belly-ached and complained when they thought the color of the carpet should have been brick and not burgundy. (For those of you not familiar, brick and burgundy are EXTREMELY similar.) When people complain because the Pastor is talking about going to one restaurant but forgets to mention that he went to another where a church member really enjoys THEIR tacos instead. Regardless, “church” has become a four-letter word to many people, even though it has six letters (actually it has four because “c” and “h” are repeated.) I sit back and think why would anyone, if they knew how Christians really were, would want to come here?

That is where my calling has come into play. Because of God’s great mercy, and probably His humor, He has allowed me to become a Pastor. I believe He has called me to help lead the church to be different than it has been. To be focused on what really matters. You may ask, “Scott, what really matters?” I’m glad you asked. Sinners coming to a place of repentance and salvation. That is what really matters! The color of carpet and the restaurant you go to have nothing to do with eternity. BUT, our petty differences in God’s church can make the difference between someone spending an eternity in Heaven or spending a life damned in hell. The church must wake up and realize that what we are doing is hurting Christ. Let’s be real men and women and dismiss our petty differences and strive forward to win the lost to Jesus. Are you with me? I CAN’T HEAR YOU!!!! Are you with ME?!?!?!

Scott
Acts 4:13

building clean up

2008-08-07T08:02:00.000-07:00

As many of you know our church is joining with our community to clean up the old school facility that is lying in ruins across the street. A few years ago the school lost funding and since all the students would funnel into Cleveland High School, Cleveland Public Schools decided to close it down. From there it became a target for vandalism. Kids were shooting out windows and creating a bigger problem. Pawnee County came in and decided to demolish the building but left it looking like the picture on the side.

There is still playground equipment that can be used but because of the rubble it is too dangerous for kids to play on it. So we want to do something about it. Shelly’s parents are the College Directors for the Monterey Baptist Church in Lubbock, TX. Their students want to be part of missions so they decided to come up to Terlton and help us clean up this mess. Friday and Saturday, August 15–16, we are going to have a Community Project to clean up the school. We will be clearing out bricks, wood, and doing whatever we can to get that place ready for a park. Some will be cleaning off the bricks so they can be sold. Others will be helping with water and other refreshments while others will be doing whatever else is needed. This will be a HUGE project.

It has been said to me that in any small town the school is the hub for everything that happens in that community. When there is no school someone MUST step up and take that place of the hub. If the church does not take it someone else will. I want this church to be that hub. This church needs to make an IMPACT in the lives of these people and this project can help us begin to do just that. If you can come help us on either day, please do so. If all you can do is pray (that sounds tacky) then please do so. Prayer is so much more powerful than we think. God desires each of us to do something for Him that is significant. Please help us reach people for Christ and see His Kingdom advanced.

In Christ Alone,
Scott
Acts 4:13

have you ever?

2008-08-06T13:51:00.000-07:00

Maybe it is just me, but have you ever just wanted to strangle your children, at least those of you who have children. Today we had a little excursion to Hominy (GO BUCKS) to get our hair cut. Yes we all go together to the same person on the same day. I am an old married guy with three girls. Anyway, the whole time we are in the place they are psychos. I don’t mean the cute cuddly psychos. I mean the ones who won’t stop grabbing hairspray bottles and putting them in their mouths (that was mostly Emiley who is 19 mos.). I decide to take them on a walk through the metropolis known as Hominy and I am pushing Emiley in the stroller and Sydney and Taylor are walking with me. About ¼ of mile into it Taylor is sooooo tired and wanting a break. I am trying to tell her that I need to get back to get my hair cut and she is dragging her feet and Sydney is not keeping up. When we finally get there and get done we go eat.

They actually weren’t too bad in there. So we get in the van and drive to Tulsa because a girl in our church just had a baby yesterday and we are going to see them. They fight and argue the entire way. So I finally told them that no one else is to talk. So we finally get to Southcrest Hospital and go see the baby. Cute kid. Then back in the van and that is when it got crazy.

We stop for gas and they HAVE to have a drink. So I get Taylor some water and she shares it with her sisters. Then Emiley is yelling, “MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM!” and won’t stop because she wants more water. Then Sydney is mimicking her. Why in the world did God give them voices before they were 12?

I am really praying that I be the dad these girls need me to be. In 3 John 1:4 it reads, “I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” What an awesome thought. Even though my beautiful daughters may drive me into an insane asylum, I want them so much to love God with all their hearts. No great joy will I ever have than to know that they are walking with the Lord. God bless.

SDW
Acts 4:13

in my head

2008-08-05T11:27:00.000-07:00

To be honest I am not really sure why I am starting this. It seems a bit arrogant to think that people would actually want to read what I think. I am by no means a deep theologian. I have a Bachelor's degree from Oklahoma Baptist University but have never been to seminary. And I really don't plan on going to seminary.

I have been the Lead Pastor now for a little over 7 months. Before this I was in Student Ministry for about 15 years. There is a part of me that misses Student Ministry but at the same time I really enjoy the pastoring. Probably the hardest thing I have experienced while being THE GUY is the loss of connectedness with students. When we went to Falls Creek it was so weird because in the past I would spend so much time investing in students through the year and then see my time and efforts grow while at camp. This year I found my self not knowing the kids that well at all. I suppose it will just have to be an adjustment I will make.

I am so blessed to be here at Terlton's First Baptist Church. God is blessing us and we are having a great time. For those of you bored enough to read this I would like to invite you to our Terlton Community Project. We are cleaning up the old school grounds. It is quite an undertaking. But we hope that the people of Terlton and our church can create a bond that will allow us to reach out more to them. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. Have a wonderful day and God bless.

Scott
Acts 4:13