News & Updates

COMBINED SERVICES THIS SUNDAY WITH SMYRNA FIRST BAPTIST We have a tremendous Kingdom opportunity this coming Sunday (Feb. 16th), and all you have to do is show up. By showing up at our combined CCC and Smyrna First Baptist church services this Sunday, you’ll be able to: show visible evidence of the glory of Jesus through His Church. be a part of Kingdom unity Jesus died to create. meet other believers who want to change Smyrna too. give your/our kids…

COMBINED SERVICES THIS SUNDAY WITH SMYRNA FIRST BAPTIST We have a tremendous Kingdom opportunity this coming Sunday (Feb. 16th), and all you have to do is show up. By showing up at our combined CCC and Smyrna First Baptist church services this Sunday, you’ll be able to: show visible evidence of the glory of Jesus through His Church. be a part of Kingdom unity Jesus died to create. meet other believers who want to change Smyrna too. give your/our kids…

Like so many in Atlanta, I was caught in Snowjam 2014 for twenty-two ding dang hours.  I drove nine and a half hours to go a ridiculous four miles.  My daughter, Lauren, and I were trying to rescue my first born, Brooklynn.  She was hopelessly stranded at Life University.  We drove ZERO miles per hour.  Our progress was measured in feet and inches.  At one point, Lauren got out of the car, walked into a RaceTrac, used the bathroom, and…

This past week I found out that my mother is dying.  My mom, who lives in Oregon, has been a diabetic for as long as I can remember and has never taken active steps in managing it.  She had a stroke just before Christmas, and then went into the hospital last week because she was “dangerously close to becoming septic.”  She goes through periods of decent health, but then just sort-of lets it go and her body declines. My sister…

I got my first letter from a friend doing hard time in a Colorado prison. There are three pages (front and back) of sloppy handwriting expressing doubt, difficulty, and demeaning circumstances. My friend’s surroundings are driving him deep into scripture. He’s praying like never before. His insights on blue-lined paper with messy, wet ink are intriguing. Sobering. My friend’s dilemma scares me. The thought of prison cuts to my core. Cold steel bars change your name into a number. Shame…

It has been a week of early morning breakfast appointments.   The levels of restaurants ranged from low health inspection scores to medium priced menus to mmm… they have some fiiiine coffee.   It’s interesting how our conditioned minds can rate a plethora of restaurant choices.  Some are labeled as evil because you’re sure the kitchen staff employs the notorious 20-second rule if your steak stumbles to a greasy floor.  Other eateries we stomach because they don’t threaten our skinny wallets.  Then…

I walked into Panera this morning wearing my warm, gray cardigan.  I asked for a mug of coffee so my caffeine contentment would be satisfied with a preferred dark roast.   The waitress across the cash register seemed a bit grumpy.  With a hint of Godly inflection in my soothing pastor’s voice, I humbly requested a meager mug of java.  She said, “Huh.  What did you say?”  I asked her if SHE needed a mug.  She laughed.  Whew.  That could’ve went…

Ahhh.  A new year.  Feels good, doesn’t it? I dove into some Cobb County prison ministry last night with Mike Storck.  All the inmates were banking on a fresh start in a new year.  Some were getting out in a matter of days, and were making big resolutions to never return to such horrific circumstances. What resolutions and changes am I making?  I’m beginning a new book.  “Raising P.K.’s”  (Advice for the parentally challenged).  My last one, “I Quit Being…

NO SERVICES THIS SUNDAY. ENJOY YOUR CHURCH IN A BAG! I’m in Clarksville, Tennessee. We’re visiting my sister and brother-in-law for the holidays. My mom, brother, and his family also came in. Let’s do the math… There are six of us Georgia Scotts. Add in five Arizona Scotts. My sister’s family adds another four mouths to feed. Round out the equation with a few boyfriends and girlfriends, my mom, and Lucy the devil dog — our grand gathering tally hits…

Sherry asked me last Sunday if I was planning a “real” Christmas message.  She lovingly handled my fragile ego by saying she’s liked what I’ve done with the Mark study through Christmas, but still wondered if Christmas would come barreling through upcoming messages a bit more.  Hmmm. I quickly thought about eggnog in communion cups.  THAT would probably get me fired.  I could preach in an ugly Christmas sweater.  The band could all wear Santa hats.  A snow machine in…