Renewal Archives - call me pasturescott

push pause

[6 minutes, 1192 words]

“WE COULD ALL do with a pause. Our world is saturated by unnecessary noise. On a recent trip around Britain I was constantly reminded of lines by Wendell Berry, “Best of any song is bird song in the quiet, but first you must have the quiet.” I searched in vain. Everywhere I went, pubs, restaurants, hotel lobbies, even a dentist’s waiting room, all were filled with either pounding music or the inane drivel of a TV chat show. And don’t get me started on mobile phones!
I climbed Mount Snowdon on a crisp and uniquely still winter’s day. When I reached the summit, alone, the view at 3,000 feet was spectacular. But the silence and a wonderful experience of wilderness were soon shattered by — you’ve guessed it — a septuagenarian, who didn’t even wait to get his breath back before whipping out his little phone to bawl his banal news in an endless stream of calls to friends, never once mentioning where he was or what he could see!”
– Ian Skelly, From Resurgence & Ecologist Issue 228 • Jan/Feb 2005

I read recently there are now 8.3 billion mobile phones in use around the world. Fun fact: there are approximately 8.3 billion people living on our planet right now. You get a cell phone! You get a cell phone! Everybody gets a cell phone! “We are becoming dangerously dependent upon useless information, and feed a growing habit for voyeurism with a mountain of contraptions” (Ian Skelly). Two billion television sets are in use globally. 6.5-12 billion computer screens are being looked at any given time around the world.

Does the world feel noisy to you? The psalmist mentions a “noisome pestilence” (Psalm 91:3, KJV) as one of the plagues that disrupt our need for peace and solace. Of course, the Hebrew word has nothing to do with loud sounds but I rather like the interesting choice of word from the good old King James.

It is still no less true that we are under assault with bothersome noise. The very next verse tells us that God covers us with his feathers and tucks us in his wings as a buffer against the raging of the world. I can’t help but think of noise canceling headphones!

I pray you find a way to “push pause” on the unwelcome ruckus that clamors for your attention. May God blessedly cover your ears and lay you gently down beside His tranquil streams.

update from my corner of exile

It’s been a minute since I’ve shared any personal updates so I best hop to it. A lot has happened since I last sat down with you, so let me start with the more recent and work my way backward.

Four days ago, on Saturday morning, I woke up to a literal puddle of blood and drainage from my hip. You might recall that I have mentioned a large collection of fluid I have carried inside me for over a year. Numerous attempts to aspirate it have proven unsuccessful — the goop or soup or whatever it is has been too thick and ‘gelatinous’ to extract even a small sample. Over a dozen attempts have been made by interventional radiologists, both outpatient and inpatient. Their conclusion? As long as it’s contained, and you are not feverish and sick, we will just take a wait-and-see approach.

So last Friday evening, I went to bed with dry sheets and nary a hole in my hip. Seven hours later, there was a hole in my hip with gouts of blood and drainage pouring out. Nonstop. For several hours. Welcome to Scott Mitchell’s world.

It is now Wednesday morning, and in a few hours I am going to see, at my doctor’s behest, a surgeon who will determine next steps, and whether or not it is time for a more invasive exploration rather than just jabbing at the area with needles.

The same surgeon and I have had some recent experience together. Less than three weeks ago, he poked four holes in my stomach with spidery robot arms in order to remove my gallbladder. Gallbladders have been a thing in my family; both my mom and dad had theirs removed, as well as my grandmother. Four hours later, I was upright and heading home.

We’ve been in Florida since Spring 2022 and for almost 4 years my health had been uncharacteristically good. 2026 is another story. Even so, I feel doubly and triply blessed! The healthcare I have received in Florida through every MRI, CT scan, ultrasound, IR procedure and hospitalization has been amazing. No complaints from this old guy.

ministry update

Sandy and I have become even more invested in our home church. I continue to be a table facilitator for our Thursday night men’s Bible study. I was on the teaching rotation, but stepped away from that for a season because the Lord opened the door for me to be on the teaching team for the youth ministry on Wednesday nights.

Sandy spoke to a large gathering of women from our church in August. Many women who were there have told me — and continue to tell me — what a blessing she was. Sandy also made a sizable impact on quite a few teenage girls who joined their mothers for the event. I’m tickled pink by how God continues to use her in a variety of ways.

One-to-one discipleship continues to be the main thing I do. If you had told me twenty years ago that I would enjoy sitting across the table from a guy, drinking coffee and discussing spiritual formation would be more exciting than preaching, I would have said you were nuts. It’s true, though. Personal discipleship is my profound joy and I can see myself doing it — with gusto — the rest of my life.

Our pastor recently nominated me to be part of the elder team and the process is pretty much complete. I will join another candidate for the laying on of hands ceremony in one of our upcoming Sunday services. Very little will change about my ministry responsibilities. As one of our staff pastors told me, “We’re just ratifying you in the same ministry you’ve been doing here all along.”

Before signing off, I’d like to briefly revisit the initial thought of this post. May I again encourage us to seek the quiet and solitude of Christ for the sake of our souls? Life can be such a heavy, noisome thing for all of us. I think this beautiful prayer by St. John of the Cross is just the way to push pause, orient our hearts heavenward, and re-order our spiritual affections:

O blessed Jesus,
Grant me stillness of soul in Thee.
Let Thy mighty calmness reign in me;
Reign in me, O Thou King of gentleness, King of peace.
Give me control, great power of self-control,
Control over my words, thoughts, and actions.
From all irritability, lack of meekness, lack of gentleness,
O dear Lord, deliver me.
By Thine own deep patience, give me patience,
Stillness of soul in Thee.
Make me in this and all things more and more like Thee.

Selah, beloved.

more than a hobby

[726 words, 4 minutes]

Now for something a little different. Some of you know I have a thing for bird photography—nature photography in general, really. It may be a hobby, but I cannot overstate what it’s done for my soul. I have discovered a healing in it that’s hard to put into words.

It started with a simple bird feeder in our backyard years ago (circa 2015). Over time that feeder attracted as many as fifteen different varieties of colorful songbirds to our yard. At its zenith our backyard not only became a sanctuary for birds but a quiet sanctuary for my soul.

Still grieving the loss of our only child, and respiting from massive health issues that required years of rehabilitation, I sought refuge in the backyard by watching (and listening) to “my” birds. It may have only been my imagination, but I was certain the trees came alive with the sounds of chatting songbirds every time I rolled out onto our back patio. Birds are very smart, you know. Undoubtedly they chittered on about the old guy and their supper.

Early on, when it seemed like birdwatching was becoming more than just a hobby of mine, I asked Sandy what she thought about my buying a camera to photograph and post “my” birds on social media. Sandy’s first reaction was a good natured laugh.

“Are you sure? I mean, I’ve seen some of the photos you’ve taken with the phone,” she chortled playfully. “More than a few have our heads cut off.”
“Ha. Ha. Very funny. Anyway, I could learn. Oh, and it so happens Amazon is having a sale on cameras this week…”

That conversation sparked my journey through a range of cameras, from an entry-level Nikon to Canon, then an upgraded Canon, and finally back to Nikon. I’d love to own a mirrorless someday, but that’s not financially feasible.

While I don’t get out with my camera quite as often as I used to — or as often as I’d like — I still can’t help myself from mentally framing a shot when I spot a bird out in the wild of suburbia.

Here are a few shots that I’m pretty happy to have in my camera roll, some new, some taken quite early on. If you’ll indulge me, I’ll just leave these with you for now.

Great Egret, Venice Audubon Rookery, Venice, FL

Brown Thrasher, Douglasville, GA, early photo

One of my favorite (early) healing trails: Florence Rd Trailhead, Hiram, GA

Red-shouldered Hawk, Silver Comet Trail, Powder Springs, GA

Tri-colored Heron, Kapok Park, Clearwater. FL

Silver Comet Trail in Autumn, Floyd Rd Trailhead, Mableton, GA

Osprey, Weedon Island Preserve, St. Pete, FL (with Hurricane Helene just offshore)

One of my favorite theologians, John Stott, was an avowed birder. Of the estimated 9,000 species of birds in the world today, Stott claims to have spotted 2,500 in his 87 years. He first developed a love for birdwatching by taking long walks with his dad. “Close your mouth and open your eyes and your ears, son,” his father instructed him.

He found “the highest possible authority” for his hobby in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus tells us to “look at the birds of the air” (Matthew 6:26). He says that, in basic English, Jesus is telling us to “watch birds” and he points out that the Greek verb used means “to fix the eyes on or take a good look at.”

I believe I’ll keep on doing that until the day I die, with or without a camera. I’ve already asked the Lord for a thriving bird sanctuary in the new heavens and new earth, and I have little doubt my Father will oblige. I know I won’t get bored.

Selah, beloved.

Dear Church, Your Problem Isn’t With Caitlyn

1 Corinthians 5:12,13
For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside…

* * *

Acts 17:30-31
“God…has set a day when the entire human race will be judged and everything set right. And he has already appointed the judge, confirming him before everyone by raising him from the dead.”

Once upon a time I fancied myself on the order of ‘tell ’em like it is’ Isaiah or a hair-pulling Nehemiah or Day-of-the-Lord-Joel. There’s certainly nothing wrong with these approaches – if that’s what God has called you to do. Dare I even say, having an anointing for it.

For a large portion of my traveling ministry I bristled at the term ‘evangelist’, informing pastors straightaway my calling is to the church, not the lost and outside. I cozied up much better to ‘revival speaker’ as I believed my purpose was best utilized for lighting a fire under the church.

God certainly has His evangelists and prophets, but how quickly had I forgotten His mission for me, spelled out in a thought-conversation between us as I lay broken-back paralyzed on a hospital bed in 1981? In a flow of revelation, I heard the kindness of God speak to my wondering mind:

Scott (we’re on a first-name basis), My Church is filled with broken people and I want you to share My message of hope and grace to My hurting remnant.”

But what title goes with that? What office of the Church is this? How do pastors introduce me? Encourager? Healer?

(I dunno, how about – just spitballin’ here – “Scott”; I mean, that’s what my Father calls me…)

All that to say this: I get it. Perhaps 20 or 30 years later, but I understand. I’m an encourager. That’s how God uses me. It can sometimes cross over into exhorter, but always in a spirit of encouragement. God has His prophets, but that’s not really my gig.

So when I write posts like this, I know I’m taking a risk. I realize I’m playing with Ezekiel’s fire, so I’ll do so ever so cautiously, and, trust me, by the end you’ll see more of my encouragement resurface.

Still, I feel compelled. Not by Scott Mitchell but by the Spirit of Christ who called me to preach the Good News of liberation (God used Isaiah 61:1,2 to bring me to my teen-aged senses). Inherent in my calling to encourage the Body is my own hope to see the church set free.

So first, if you haven’t already, go back to the top and read those lead-in scriptures. I’ll wait for you back here.

(Pause)

Wait. Don’t jump on the bandwagon of “Christians shouldn’t judge” and fly this flag as its emblem. Nossir. That’s not what Paul is saying.

Of course we’re supposed to judge! Only, we must never judge in the sense of writing somebody off or sending them to their doom with ‘wiping hands clean’ hearts. Matthew 7:1 has to be balanced against Matthew 7:16 and John 7:24. Our judging must be filtered through the lens of humility and tempered by the love of Christ.

And…according to these and many other scriptures, Christians are supposed to judge.

Other Christians.

God has given the church the mandate to judge itself – albeit righteously and mercifully (see Gal 6:1-ff).

And that’s what I’m doing here. I’m posting this blog to say ‘brethren, we’re in sad shape and may God heal us of all our diseases.‘

Frankly, we’re so sick we shouldn’t have a lot of extra time snorting and harrumphing on Facebook, demeaning the sins of others; others, of course, being those outside the faith.

I’m choosing not to join the fray on these matters and others that appear to be blowing up my timelines on Twitter and Facebook. The fact I’m not joining in isn’t out of cowardice (I know where I stand, I just don’t have weapons in my hands while doing it) but because I’m waiting for the church to be just as angry about its own sin instead of focusing on those glaring offenses blitzing our social mediums.

Those matters are ‘Adam behaving like Adam’. It’s what unredeemed Adam does. (Okay, understand I’m not talking about violence and criminal activity in this post – there are necessary repercussions for these)

I could talk all day about the many offenses of the church in our time but I’m choosing to only name three. Only three. Three biggies, mind you, but just these three…for starters.

If the church could repent of just these three, I believe the world would be in a much different place. Oh, the unbelieving world that chooses to remain in its unbelief will still be well on its way to hell, but if these three things could be dealt with, my my my, what a difference there could be.

But I’m warning you, they’re big. I mean mountainous. No, mountain range-ous. I’m talking Swiss Alps here.

Here they are:

1. SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS

It seems fairly obvious to me we like to point out the big foibles of others’ lives so we don’t have to look at our own damning issues.

When I see hateful, hurtful posts spewing venom at the unredeemed by professing believers, I’m wont to ask, so how’s that lying problem of yours? Jesus said liars and hypocrites won’t inherit the Kingdom of heaven. Are you loving your wife as Christ loves His Bride, or thinking it’s just a suggestion? Have you lusted on the internet recently? Any person for whom you’re harboring unforgiveness?

Hear me: I’m not leaving myself out of the mix. I’m well aware of the thoughts I can think and the emotions as judge, jury, and executioner I can call up in a heartbeat. I’m simply making a plea for self-examination, for falling on the mercy of Jesus once we’ve each had a long, hard look at the man in the mirror. If we’ve been forgiven much, we’ll love much, Jesus said.

2. DIVISIVENESS

How silly is it that we feel we have any authority at all to morally legislate the behaviors of those outside the faith, when we can’t even get along inside the household of faith? Are you kidding me?

38 THOUSAND denominations in Christianity today? 38 maybe, but 3-8-comma-and-3-zeros? That’s 38,000 times a group has splintered off another group – often (not always, I realize) out of unyieldedness, stubbornness, selfish ambition, heavy-handedness, unfixable divides, and bearing grudges instead of bearing with one another.

I’m not even going to go into all the splinterings and splits within churches of the same denomination!

Jesus prayed that His people would be one (John 17:23,24). My spiritual father calls this “the most evangelistic prayer ever prayed” because Jesus said its answer would result in the world seeing Christ on earth, in full display, and “believe” (v21).

Maybe, just maybe, there would be less Caitlyns if only they would see more of the beautifulness (it’s possibly a word) of Jesus and His life on display among His followers.

Please, let us dream.

3. LUKEWARMNESS

This speaks to lukewarm love; yes, for Christ, certainly, but a tepid love for others, both the fallen & lost, and the wayward & scandalized. Jesus forecasted a cooling of love in the last days (Matthew 24:12), moving into cold-heartedness. I think He knew it would also be so among His so-called followers, regretfully.

Where is the love for the lost? Where is gracious compassion for the impenitent? Why the vitriol for sinners? Why the hatred and Pharisaic disgust for the unclean? Have we forgotten how once we were so far off, despising God and His reign, shaking our fist at heaven … and yet … and yet … “God [showed] His love for us while we were yet sinners…”???

We can’t blame the gays on any of these sins of the church. We can’t point a finger at Hollywood or the Democratic Party or Obama or Hillary Clinton or the Supreme Court for our slide and failures.

Merciful Jesus, in G.K. Chesterton style, I say in answer to the query of “what’s wrong with the world?” a resounding, “I am.”

I am…

Dear Church, no finger-pointing here.

I’m a self-righteous Pharisee at times. I snort at the sinner and glad-hand myself for my straight-arrow walk. Foolish am I.

I can be divisive – perhaps not openly so, but in my heart I can grumble about another who has better gifts than I minister with, and I can gossip in the name of Jesus – even if it’s *only* to my spouse, thus coloring her opinion thence onward. Ragamuffin am I.

I have a flagging love for others. I can choose to walk around a dirty street person every once in awhile so as not to be bothered whilst on my alternative mission, or sigh when I see “that person” calling or texting me again, and what can they possibly need now … or … why can’t they just get over their stuff???

Jerk am I.

I’m not immune any more than you are, but I know this: the same Jesus that loved me in spite of my hatred of Him before I mercifully saw the Light, loves me still, in spite of these confessions, and He’s not writing me off.

I’m making it my heart’s pledge to never do that to anybody, either. I’m going to believe that Caitlyn Jenner is loved by God and the broken places that no surgery can fix can be mercifully touched and transformed (not transgendered) by His love. Snarkiness never won nobody to Jesus. I’m believing Tony Campolo is my brother and I can see past our disagreements to a man (like me) still on his way to fullness and find the Jesus in him. (To hear some tell it, he’s already been ascribed to hell.) Same with the Duggars or Rob Bell. Or the pope. And the LGBT community. And ____________ (insert politician’s name here).

Is it easy? Was it “easy” for God to love me in my darkest rebellion? Remember: He still came looking for Adam when He knew what the rascal’d done. That’s my mandate. Never give up, never let go, never write off, never condemn, never stop loving. Tears, backstabs, betrayals, sleepless nights, anger, good news, bad news, relapses (give me grace, God), roller coasters, merry-go-rounds…

But hey, sounds a lot like my résumé, past and present. Thank God He didn’t – and doesn’t – hate me all over social media. I guess I’m saying, He, the Founder of the Church, treats people a lot better than the church does. We can do better. By the mercy of Christ Who fills His Church…we can do better. So let’s.