Do check out the link to the podcast that I produce. It is for my church, Westwood Church in Albany, Ga. I'm also considering sprucing things up by adding some pictures - maybe even a video or two! Hopefully nothing too crazy, though.
Peace
Scott
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Where is the time going?
Well, I've only got about 6 different ideas that I'm working on for blogs right now. Updates on trips, pregnancy, and just some general ideas. Unfortunately, it's finding the time to blog that's been difficult lately. Hopefully I'll be able to dedicate some time to it soon. I am also hoping to post a review of each of the "major" presidential candidates convention speeches. Anyone who knows me knows that I love politics, so I might as well share some of my feelings about that up here. But first I've got to watch both of them!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Hey, Preacher Man!
I had an interesting experience about a month ago. I preached my first sermon. I guess with all the speaking I have done, that was one I'd missed somehow. Anyway, the opportunity sort of fell into my lap, and it's something I've always wanted to do, so I was glad to take it.
Everyone was much more than kind about it - so many people told me that I did well. And I say that not to pat myself on the back, just as appreciation for others appreciating what I did. After putting a lot of work into something, it's very nice to hear that others think it was worth it.
The funny thing is that I didn't feel especially nervous, probably because I'm used to talking in front of people, especially these people. However, the nerves I did feel came from the fact that speaking is much different than just talking for a couple of minutes. I had the floor all to myself for 25 minutes, and I couldn't just stumble my way through some random thoughts.
The sermon is online now, and after listening to it, it is funny to me how much I tried to cram in to 25 minutes. I had times myself the day before and realized that I was running too long, but trusted myself to be nervous enough to do it quickly. It still was pretty funny to hear myself almost rushing through some points. But I did realize that my first point actually had three sub-points; something I didn't even realize as I was writing it! Anyway, I definitely had a good time and was thankful for the opportunity - I hope God was happy with the result. It's something I'd like to do again if I had the chance.
P.S. It was quite funny that a friend of mine in the audience said (just loud enough for me to hear) "No pressure!" just as I started - way to make me feel more comfortable!
Everyone was much more than kind about it - so many people told me that I did well. And I say that not to pat myself on the back, just as appreciation for others appreciating what I did. After putting a lot of work into something, it's very nice to hear that others think it was worth it.
The funny thing is that I didn't feel especially nervous, probably because I'm used to talking in front of people, especially these people. However, the nerves I did feel came from the fact that speaking is much different than just talking for a couple of minutes. I had the floor all to myself for 25 minutes, and I couldn't just stumble my way through some random thoughts.
The sermon is online now, and after listening to it, it is funny to me how much I tried to cram in to 25 minutes. I had times myself the day before and realized that I was running too long, but trusted myself to be nervous enough to do it quickly. It still was pretty funny to hear myself almost rushing through some points. But I did realize that my first point actually had three sub-points; something I didn't even realize as I was writing it! Anyway, I definitely had a good time and was thankful for the opportunity - I hope God was happy with the result. It's something I'd like to do again if I had the chance.
P.S. It was quite funny that a friend of mine in the audience said (just loud enough for me to hear) "No pressure!" just as I started - way to make me feel more comfortable!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
CT Scan
Well, I had a CT Scan for my head a few weeks back. I hit my head on the metal side of a venthood at work and was feeling pretty bad, so the doctor told me to get one. The interesting thing about that is I've hit my head so many times that I've always wondered what a CT scan would reveal.
I have had several head injuries that were at least mild concussion level. I once fell out of a barn and landed on my head. I was once knocked unconcious during a self-defense class (believe it or not, I was helping train in the class - some people learn too well!). I was kicked in the face during a sparring match and suffered a broken cheekbone and my worst concussion; three weeks later I cracked the back of my head against a wooden armrest. After that one, I really started noticing funny things, like memory loss.
Well, with this latest one, I went to the ER after I hit my head and the doctor pretty much just sent me on my way after completely ignoring my symptoms (thank you, hospital that is not Phoebe in Albany, GA). But the next day I felt absolutely horrible. So a CT scan.
Good news - the brain scan was negative! The (other) doctor said that everything was normal. I had once been told by a doctor in passing that I should studiously avoid any activity that could lead to more head injuries. She even said that more could potentially be fatal! Well, no need to worry about that now. Even though I am suffering from post-concussion syndrome (ahhh, headaches, I missed y'all), I don't have to limit my activities to the less-than-dangerous. As long as I don't get blistering headaches from something, I'm free!
So, you know what this means, right? Hello, sparring!
I have had several head injuries that were at least mild concussion level. I once fell out of a barn and landed on my head. I was once knocked unconcious during a self-defense class (believe it or not, I was helping train in the class - some people learn too well!). I was kicked in the face during a sparring match and suffered a broken cheekbone and my worst concussion; three weeks later I cracked the back of my head against a wooden armrest. After that one, I really started noticing funny things, like memory loss.
Well, with this latest one, I went to the ER after I hit my head and the doctor pretty much just sent me on my way after completely ignoring my symptoms (thank you, hospital that is not Phoebe in Albany, GA). But the next day I felt absolutely horrible. So a CT scan.
Good news - the brain scan was negative! The (other) doctor said that everything was normal. I had once been told by a doctor in passing that I should studiously avoid any activity that could lead to more head injuries. She even said that more could potentially be fatal! Well, no need to worry about that now. Even though I am suffering from post-concussion syndrome (ahhh, headaches, I missed y'all), I don't have to limit my activities to the less-than-dangerous. As long as I don't get blistering headaches from something, I'm free!
So, you know what this means, right? Hello, sparring!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
9 months
Wow, time flies. It's been 9 months since I've updated this thing! And it's not like it's been a boring 9 months. It has been busy, especially with work. I've been kinda burying myself sometimes in both work and the church. And with a new baby on the way, 9 months is a good theme for this post.
That's right, we have a new baby on the way! I am kinda hoping for a girl this time. Since our first child (DJ) is a boy, I'd like to complete the set ;-) Because we didn't find out if DJ was a boy or girl until he was born, we had both boy and girl names picked out. We are not planning on finding out the sex of this baby either. So the only name we had to decide on was a boy's name. So, if the baby is a girl her name will be Christianne Marie Sapp, and if the baby is a boy his name will be Daniel Stephen Sapp. Also, because we don't want to call our baby an "it", we have a nickname for him or her. We called DJ "Kiddo" while Kellie was pregnant with him, and this baby we are calling "Scoot." I was called "Scooter" a lot as a kid (of course), and Kellie's parents called her "Scoot" as a kid, so the nickname just fit.
Anyway, Scoot is due sometime in January, so I guess I'll update progress! And some cool things have happened lately; I plan on writing a few more posts soon.
That's right, we have a new baby on the way! I am kinda hoping for a girl this time. Since our first child (DJ) is a boy, I'd like to complete the set ;-) Because we didn't find out if DJ was a boy or girl until he was born, we had both boy and girl names picked out. We are not planning on finding out the sex of this baby either. So the only name we had to decide on was a boy's name. So, if the baby is a girl her name will be Christianne Marie Sapp, and if the baby is a boy his name will be Daniel Stephen Sapp. Also, because we don't want to call our baby an "it", we have a nickname for him or her. We called DJ "Kiddo" while Kellie was pregnant with him, and this baby we are calling "Scoot." I was called "Scooter" a lot as a kid (of course), and Kellie's parents called her "Scoot" as a kid, so the nickname just fit.
Anyway, Scoot is due sometime in January, so I guess I'll update progress! And some cool things have happened lately; I plan on writing a few more posts soon.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Helpless
I think the worst feeling in the world, at least for me, is helplessness. That sudden realization that there is nothing you can do in a situation. I was reading about Mike Coolbaugh, the first-base coach who was killed by a foul-ball line-drive a couple of months ago. Sports Illustrated had an excellently written article about the effects his death had on his family, team, and the young man who hit the ball.
And then they re-told the moment. I was already emotional over the story, but the description of his state when they reached him really tears me up. Because (having some First Aid training and such) I realized that there would have been absolutely nothing I could have done except what one person did: sit there and cry "Don't leave, Mike!" It is a tragic story, and a terrible feeling.
Maybe that's why I like to attack things. I hate even the feeling of helplessness, and the reality of it is overwhelming to me. At work, that is what makes me want to quit - when I feel helpless about a situation. But I think that because that is something that I fear, I also tend to see it when it is not there.
The only good result of helpless feelings is the thought "All I have now is God." And I think God is saying "DUH! That's all you should need!" Every time I hear that phrase (or say it myself) I think of how ridiculous it is that the very last place we turn, our last resort, is God. Shouldn't He be our first resort? Shouldn't we turn to Him before it becomes hopeless? Isn't He much more capable anyway? That's not such a helpless feeling.
And then they re-told the moment. I was already emotional over the story, but the description of his state when they reached him really tears me up. Because (having some First Aid training and such) I realized that there would have been absolutely nothing I could have done except what one person did: sit there and cry "Don't leave, Mike!" It is a tragic story, and a terrible feeling.
Maybe that's why I like to attack things. I hate even the feeling of helplessness, and the reality of it is overwhelming to me. At work, that is what makes me want to quit - when I feel helpless about a situation. But I think that because that is something that I fear, I also tend to see it when it is not there.
The only good result of helpless feelings is the thought "All I have now is God." And I think God is saying "DUH! That's all you should need!" Every time I hear that phrase (or say it myself) I think of how ridiculous it is that the very last place we turn, our last resort, is God. Shouldn't He be our first resort? Shouldn't we turn to Him before it becomes hopeless? Isn't He much more capable anyway? That's not such a helpless feeling.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Monday, October 8, 2007
Catalyst
Well, I got back from the Catalyst Conference 2007 late Friday night. It was an amazing experience. Last year was a brand-new experience for me, so it was all surprising. This year I expected Andy Stanley to be good (duh!), but really didn't know who else would challenge me. Well, in between Patrick Lencioni (funny, but lost his place a lot!), Francis Chan, Rick Warren, Craig Groeschel, and Andy Stanley again, it was better than last year!
There seemed to be a lot of speakers talking about what the church is DOING now. We seem to work so hard on making sure that our church is growing, our church is getting a new building, our contribution is coming in, our people have things to do. Maybe the focus should be (at least 50% of the time) outward. There are so many problems in the world: diseases, massive poverty, hunger, the sex trade, and so many more. We can all chip in. There are so many good charities and organizations that we can give to that will help with all these problems.
But there are also so many people that need our help right around us. While poverty in the U.S. is nowhere near as dire as it is in Third World countries, it still affects so many. The challenge for me is not only to help those around the world, but also to be reaching out to those around me who need help. For me, that should be easy - there are neighbors of mine who are very unfortunate. It's not as easy to help people face-to-face as it is to give to a charity, but it is just as important. If not more so.
There seemed to be a lot of speakers talking about what the church is DOING now. We seem to work so hard on making sure that our church is growing, our church is getting a new building, our contribution is coming in, our people have things to do. Maybe the focus should be (at least 50% of the time) outward. There are so many problems in the world: diseases, massive poverty, hunger, the sex trade, and so many more. We can all chip in. There are so many good charities and organizations that we can give to that will help with all these problems.
But there are also so many people that need our help right around us. While poverty in the U.S. is nowhere near as dire as it is in Third World countries, it still affects so many. The challenge for me is not only to help those around the world, but also to be reaching out to those around me who need help. For me, that should be easy - there are neighbors of mine who are very unfortunate. It's not as easy to help people face-to-face as it is to give to a charity, but it is just as important. If not more so.
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