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| Hey gang,
I just saw an unforgettable movie, Mamma Mia!
Most of you... who know me, know I have had to deal with a lot of father issues over the years. (I met my father when I was 23, besides the fact that I was told he was dead... LONG STORY) With that said, seeing the film featuring the songs of ABBA, brought many tough feelings back into focus...
Here's why... The plot/story is about 20 year old Sophie... who is preparing to marry her boyfriend Sky at her mother's hotel on an island in Greece. She seemingly has it all; a carefree life, loving boyfriend and happy friends but one thing has been missing all her life; a FATHER. Her only wish now is to be given away by her dad at her wedding. By reading her mother's diary she discovers that she has three possible fathers. Sophie then secretly invites all three men in a desperate bid to discover which of them is her father.
Anyway, the film version is awesome! I saw the live show in London in 2000 and I again had the same emotional response...
I CRIED!!!! BIG TIME!!!!
Please understand... I searched for my family roots for the very same reason as Sophie! And as I did my research I found out WHO my dad was and that he was very much alive. As in the Mamma Mia story, after I met my real dad... He then attended my wedding only a fews weeks after our introduction.
God does things in a truly unique way!
I really did love the whole Mamma Mia experience, even though it was sometimes a painful memory. It allowed me to reflect on the journey every life must go through. I am truly thankful for the blessings I have, a beautiful wife (for nearly 20 years) and three wonderful daughters! Daughters... by the way who will always know their father!
Pray for me! It is my desire to always allow my crazy faith journey, as an example of God's amazing grace!
Shalom,
Pastor Goofy
PS. DO NOT MISS THIS MOVIE!!!!! | | |
| WOW... Too soon!!!
Well,
What can I say... Today I did what I knew I was going to do 14 years ago! When my daughter was born, I made a commitment to give my girl opportunities I could never be apart of... Today... my girl went to "Teen Mania" for her first missions trip! Amanda and another girl from our REAL Uth team, Rachel... stared the long journey heading for "AUSTRALIA" half way around the world... I am soooo proud of them both! Yet, as we dropped off the "KIDS" I started to get emotional... I cried!!!! YES, I CRIED!!! Even though they are only 14 years old, I know this will be a great chance for them to experience a whole new culture! Please pray for me!!! I know this month will be tough, but I know they will bring back some good stuff for the REAL Uth team!!! As the YP for REAL Uth I know we are training world changers... But it still gets to me every time a youth actually understands the urgency of the situation and puts action to their conviction! Lastly... GO GIRLS!!!
Shalom,
Pastor Goofy | | |
| Hey Gang, Well, to say this has been a unique experience would be a HUGE understatement… Vegas is truly the most deceptive city I have ever seen. Things appear to be real, but really not even close! Beauty on the outside… decay and death on the inside! What I’m really trying to say… what you see is not really, what you see! With that said, I have been seeking God’s view on the current wind of “Revival” within the Body of Christ. I truly believe God is about to bring an authentic wind of revival! According to the “WORD” (Jesus) “then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land” Seems to me to be a know brainier… RIGHT? Yet, why is it we continue to major on the miners? Over the last week, as I have been having conversations with all kinds of people on my trip to “Never Land” (Vegas). One thing is keeps coming to the forefront… “Every person has a void, a hole so to speak. As believers we know this hole is meant to be filled by our loving creator. Yet, many who are seeking this truth travel in circles… ever trying to find solutions for their own personal hole. If we would only humble ourselves and become Jesus for a lost and dying world… we would see God’s Glory in ways we could never begin to grasp! I have had the wonderful privilege of being just that for just a few here in Vegas, and I know in those moments here where divine appointments. Here is just one example, I sitting in front of a huge casino… just praying to myself. A middle-aged woman sat down and asked if I had a light for her cigarette. I don’t smoke, so I obviously said no. But I saw this as an opportunity to start a conversation… IT WORKED! It didn’t take long and within a few moments I was praying for this woman to be healed right in front on the “Riviera” way cool! See, here in Vegas people take risk everyday for something that is temporary and that will soon fade away. But when we, “The Body of Christ” get out of our comfort zones and passionately start loving people unconditionally, just the way Jesus loved! Wow, get out of the way and hold on tight! That’s when people respond to the wind of real revival! An authentic love fest with Jesus at the helm, saying to His disciple’s full speed ahead! I have only one question to ask you to ponder… ARE YOU READY? Shalom, Pastor Scott | | |
| Hey Gang, So much for a quick spring… Winter does not want to role over and disappear very easily. It seems to just want to hang around and cause trouble! As I sit typing… God has given me a major download! I wonder if we realize how our stupid habits, especially the destructive ones keep us from truly fulfilling our destiny. Over the years I have had the unique privilege of influencing leaders from all walks of life. The absolute hardest thing I witnessed in resent years, is seeing the waste of the talents &/or gifting of a potentially great leaders. This usually happens when an individual settles for the mundane rather than pushing for excellence. So many young leaders fall into this obvious trap of the enemy. When good enough… takes the place of excellence and we start to settle. That is truly a scary moment for that potential leader. Yet, that in and of itself is not the issue, it's when we allow the Spirit of "JUST GETTING BYE" slip into every area of our walk with God. We just settle… It's like winter not wanting to let go of its nasty grip! We can over-come this attitude, but only if we want to. It will require us to truly put our hand to the plow and push toward the prize no matter what the cost will be. Today's leaders need to understand the seasons we find ourselves in. Yet still remain strong in their conviction to over-come complacency within their generation. Real passion, the kind of passion that changes circumstances requires individuals to push harder than the average Joe. Average must never be the norm, we must never settle! Excellence in all elements of our ministry and calling is a must! Many Christians over the years have asked me why I am such a "DISNEY" nut. Well, Walt Disney never settled for second anything… He pushed with such passion and such determination, that changing his area of influence was not only an option, it was his destiny! What about your destiny? Are you going to allow someone else to carry a mantle that is yours, but you settling for the couch instead? I may only live in a small town, but I'll "NEVER" think small about anything. We serve a "HUGE" God and He desires us to do "HUGE" things for the kingdom. With that said, "Never settle for average, push for excellence in all thins!" I refuse to allow the "Spirit of Just Getting Bye" to have any long term impact in the ministry here at Real Uth and Victory Family Worship Center. Amen? What say you? Shalom, Pastor Scott Tidwell | | |
| Hey Gang, It's truly amazing to me… time seems to zoom faster and faster. Can you believe it, spring is about to be sprung on us. Well, at least I hope so! Change always seems to be a huge part of moving up and pressing forward. Yet, I know change usually is not an easy process. As a matter a fact change is almost always requires real courage. Courage to admit maybe, just maybe you may have to see situations from a different paradigm. Sometimes, in our lives we grossly overlook the obvious, and assume way too much. It is at these times I believe God desires us to take a leap of faith so to speak and really learn to look beyond the obvious. This weekend was one such time for me. You must understand this weekend I had a major "GOD" moment; I had the privilege of joining the Linesville Marching Band on a field trip of sorts. I tagged along as a chaperone, as we attended a production of the musical Wicked. To say this had a huge impact on me, would be a major understatement. Wicked is a sort of prequel to the Wizard of Oz. The plot summery is as follows… Set in the days prior to Dorothy's arrival from Kansas, the story explores the idea that "Glinda" the good witch was not all she appeared to be. And that the "Wicked Witch of the West" was greatly misunderstood and victimized throughout her young life. It's a unique look into both of these characters; did their past have anything to do with what they would eventually become? I do not want to spoil it for anyone, all I can say… Do not judge anything or anyone by mere appearance. Or before you know it you may find yourself stuck in an assumption. I guess for me, the best way to some up my "Wicked" experience, is with a challenge. The challenge, to be willing to look beyond the surface of anyone or anything. Also the need to always look for meaning even in the most unlikely places, to examine my heart to the core and to always love the unlovable know matter how hard and how tough the sacrifice may be. Jesus said in Matthew 7; “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Wicked was not only amazingly performed, it also moved me in a way I haven't been toughed in a long time. It was really quite emotional for me to realize we truly have a long way to go, which is to really love each other unconditionally. My heart breaks for the ones that never get a chance to live beyond the stereotype that has been thrusted upon them. The "Wicked" experience for me was a reminder of the truly unique call I feel the Tidwell's have in the Body of Christ. If you ever have the privilege to experience Wicked for yourself, do not… I repeat do not miss it! Shalom, Pastor Goofy aka Scott | | |
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