excerpt from Darrell Scott's House Judiciary testimony

TESTIMONY OF DARRELL SCOTT (FATHER OF TWO VICTIMS OF COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING LITTLETON, COLORADO) BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON CRIME, HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 2141 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDINGThursday, MAY 27, 1999 2:00 P.M.

"Men and women are three part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our makeup, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual influences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historic fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God and in doing so, we open the doors to hatred and violence.

And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs - - politicians ... immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that continue to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our OWN hearts. Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched!

We do not need more religion. We do not need more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do not need more million dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are being ignored.

We do need a change of heart and an humble acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God. As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America and around the world to realize that on April 20, 1999 at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain.

Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your conscience and denies your God-given right to communicate with Him. ... My daughter's death will not be in vain. The young people of this country will not allow that to happen.

Prayer of Thanks

Thank you, Lord, for helping me through the year so far. Thank you for the ability to endure the physical pain that has dogged me, and yet made me more dependent on You.

Thank you that Nicholas has had a time of growth and experience in You at Camp RedCloud in Colorado. We see maturity in him each day since he's been back.

Thank you that we have seen some relief in Jill's fibro myalgia, especially since the winter weather has been settling in.

Thank you that we can see Your work being done within the College Bible study.

Thank you that You are faithful and unchanging. I can rely upon You and can see You even when the days get darkest. Thank you for not letting go when I became so frustrated and even angry because of the trials that have dogged us.

Thank you because You give us the right not only to recognize your greatness as El Olam and El Shaddai, but also the intimate, personal Abba.

Effectiveness

If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.

- C. S. Lewis

Jesus marveled

Luke 7:9 - Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, "I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith."

The word "marvel" is used very few times in the Bible when it comes to Jesus. I can see only two times when He actually marveled. Let me explain first of all, that the word "marvel" is thaumazō and it is used in terms of wonderment and even with a hint of admiration in this case, accrding to the dictionary. The situation here where the Savior is taken aback is when the Roman centurion shows such humility that he begs Jesus not only to heal the centurian's dying servant, he begs Jesus not to bother Himself with traveling and entering his home (Jewish belief at the time was that a Jew who entered a Gentile's home was ceremonially unclean).

The centurian only asks that Jesus says the words of healing, and the servant will be cleansed of his terminal illness.

Jesus is in wonderment at this man's amazing belief. This Roman has a faith that is absolutely stunning.

Yet Jesus wonders another time... in Mark 6:6 He wondered at His own people's unbelief.

And this gets me to thinking...

...I clearly recall in the 80s of the Lord caring for my every penny whenever, as a single man, I traveled the country as a small-time evangelist, speaking at churches and schools without ever asking for a cent. I commited to the Lord that if He wanted me to keep traveling, He would provide without me ever having to ask for money. For two years I ringed the United States speaking at churches as few as 20 and as large as 2,000. I never had to ask for support...that was a beautiful testing of my faith in which God came out more glorious than ever.

So why does my unbelief pop up now and again?

Jesus must wonder.

Sunday

Things are getting exciting once again. I will be speaking at the Singles Bible Study on Sunday morning at West Park Baptist Church, and then we will be rolling along in our College Bible Study at 6 p.m. on Sunday, looking into the book of Luke as well as some key Greek words in the book of Corinthians. Feeling happy to be able to get deeper into the ministry once again. How I've missed it!

The weekend means getting to catch up with Nicholas, playing with little Julianne, spending time with my wife Jill and maybe catching a movie with Peter.

And a chance for us to go to worship at church on Sunday together!

Clarksville

I've had some time to reflect on my ministries of years past as I prepare to embark on new ones...

... and it brings me to Clarksville, Georgia, where, as a Bible college student in 1980, I would pile into a car with a couple of other fellows and drive the few hours to this little town and help out a storefront church pastored by an engaging man named "Buzz."

We had after-church Sunday lunches that would beat any big-city buffet. I still remember the ham and the tall tales told by the patriarch of whichever clapboard home we were blessed to eat that sumptuous feast.

But the Sunday morning services still stick in my mind...

There couldn't have been more than 30 people in any service; 20 might be more like it. The floor was an uneven sloping bare wood construction. However, the intense joy and fervor for seeing the Lord's blessing was evident in each service. There was a lady in her 20s - I think her name was Cherry - who would sing at a moment's notice ("Cherry, some on up here and sing us a song...you know, that one about the resurrection?") without any instrument backup.

The church was a storefront; only one window air conditioner cooled the "sanctuary" and made hearing the preacher a challenge. Most men came in work jeans; ladies came in sundresses. I believe a few children were barefoot. A beehive was attached to the back window. But the deep love for Jesus in that little church was one memory that I still feel to this day. There were no programs or series of messages (not that programs or series are wrong, mind you) but a week-by-week outpouring of what God had done in the lives of the people in that little burg in northern Georgia in 1980.

Some things you'll always remember.

Ashamed of Christ?

Powerful thoughts here by John MacArthur:

...in Matthew chapter 10 we have a very interesting section of Scripture. I want you to pick it up as Jesus teaches here regarding the cost of discipleship at verse 32, Matthew 10:32. "Jesus said, Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven."
In other words, Jesus says everyone who openly, unashamedly, unabashedly with conviction speaks My name before men, I'll speak their name before My Father. In other words, if you'll claim Me, I'll claim you. If you don't claim Me, I won't claim you. Verse 33, "Whosoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven." Now we're dealing with a very serious issue here, friends. This is a matter of salvation. If you are continuously and constantly ashamed to confess Christ, then He will be ashamed to confess you before His Father. You don't belong to Him if He doesn't belong to you. If you won't acknowledge Him, He won't acknowledge you. And the implication here is that there's a price to pay for that. Notice verse 34, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth, I didn't come to bring peace but a sword." Jesus is saying I know there's a cost here. "For I came to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter‑in‑law against her mother‑in‑law and a man's enemies will be the members of his household."
In other words, I know that if you confess Me in that Jewish environment, you're going to pay a price for it right in your own family. But if you're not willing to do that, then I'm not willing to confess you. And verse 37 He follows it up, here's the real issue, it's who you love most. "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. He who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. He who doesn't take his cross...that means be willing to die...and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. And he who has found his life shall lose it. And he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it." In other words, if you're willing to confess Me, if you're willing to take what rejection comes, if you're willing to give your life over to Me even to death, then I'll confess you before My Father. But if you're ashamed of Me, and if you're constantly ashamed of Me and continually ashamed of Me, then I don't have any relationship to you at all and I will not claim you before God.
In Mark chapter 8 verse 38, you remember this text, don't you? "What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Listen to what comes after that. "For whosoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation," you get that? You're ashamed to speak up for Christ because you know society is hostile to Him. "The Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." Boy, what a statement.

from study on 2 Timothy 1:6
by John MacArthurCopyright 2007, Grace to You.

http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/55-2.htm

Mr and Mrs Christopher Daniel Jones

Chris Jones and Jill King wedding today

At 4 p.m. I will be officiating the marriage of Chris Jones and Jill King at a beautiful amphitheater near the Norris Dam in the Lake City, Tennessee region. Chris was in my youth group years and years ago and the honor in performing this ceremony is above what I can fully express. A lot of my good old youth group members will be there as well. As soon as I have pictures I will post them here.

Paying It Out

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. - Ephesians 5:15, 16

I often get edgy at work. A desk job is extremely confining to me, and I long to get back into the teaching profession where I can walk the room and never sit down. Moreover, I like looking at the clock and realizing that for the next 40 to 50 minutes, I can share the Bible with my students in a controlled environment where they can ask questions, check my facts, and dip into the Bible and learn for themselves.

I constantly pray for patience, but I often feel like time is running out. There is so much ministry to do!

It's the same with my publishing work. I enjoy the labor of creating and developing plot lines and story episodes, but I often get antsy. Why can't I do this all the time, and really pour my efforts into the written word?

It's to be patient that I pray for, but not to be complacent.

The KJV relays verse 16 as "redeeming the time." The word redeeming is exagorazo and it is a financial term, referring to the wise use of money. Your use of time is like spending money on a shopping day. You can use it for meaningful things like food staples or construction needs, or you can blow it on candy bars and comic books. It's your money, but how will you use it?

That's always the way I felt that time was - a precious commodity that is to be used wisely. I seek to spend it wisely each day. The wise way to spend it is in such a way that at the end of the day I can honestly say to Jesus, "Thank you for the day. Here is how I spent it for You."

How We Christians Should Speak

These are the words of Augustine in his writing The City of God. The term "Teacher" in this paragraph speaks of any preacher, missionary, laymen, housewife, school student....anyone who presents the Scripture as a tool for change.

The Duty of the Christian Teacher.
6. It is the duty, then, of the interpreter and teacher of Holy Scripture, the defender of the true faith and the opponent of error, both to teach what is right and to refute what is wrong, and in the performance of this task to conciliate the hostile, to rouse the careless, and to tell the ignorant both what is occurring at present and what is probable in the future. But once that his hearers are friendly, attentive, and ready to learn, whether he has found them so, or has himself made them so, the remaining objects are to be carried out in whatever way the case requires. If the hearers need teaching, the matter treated of must be made fully known by means of narrative. On the other hand, to clear up points that are doubtful requires reasoning and the exhibition of proof. If, however, the hearers require to be roused rather than instructed, in order that they may be diligent to do what they already know, and to bring their feelings into harmony with the truths they admit, greater vigor of speech is needed. Here entreaties and reproaches, exhortations and upbraidings, and all the other means of rousing the emotions, are necessary.

That is my joy in our Sunday night College studies and in the times that I travel and speak to different groups. it has nothing whatsoever to do with the uplifting of my name (pure foolishness to do so), but rather lifting up the name of Jesus so that people may see the clear light not only of salvation but also of a holy and delightful walk with God each day.

Our household perks up each time our home is a place for a guest to stay. We all agree that our home is part of our ministry, and we thank God for the opportunity to use it in this manner.

Col.3:12

pronounced {khray-stot'-ace} sympathy, compassion, tenderness



So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;






Little Julianne's birthday was this weekend - the smallest Zockoll turned four years old! The weekend was filled with hugs, trips, treats and small gifts. At one point when Julie was being treated royally, we saw a great example of today's greek word.

Julianne stopped and saw my wife Jill sitting on a nearby sofa, resting from an exhausting day. "Here, Mommy," she said, giving her only cookie away to her mother. "This is for you so you will be happy."

That act of kindness brought to mind the many who helped lift me up during the long days of this past year for me. Between the sicknesses and injuries as well as the ministerial setbacks, I can say that this has been one of the most difficult years of my adult life. But in the midst of this, I saw Jesus as I saw His love carried through kindnesses brought to me, one who had no ability to retunr the favor because of my condition or the situations surrounding me at the time:

- the immediate and attantive call by old college mate Dan Moorehead when he heard of my pain. I cannot tell you, Dan, how that one phone call lifted my spirits.

- the expression of a gift of foodstuffs toward the College ministry by the Bernard. Mr. and Mrs. Bernard, my wife and I are taken aback by your giving attitude. Chris, you are quite a guy to have a heart like this. Thank you all.

- the continued prayers and notes from the Hydes across the pond in England. You are truly God with skin on!

Hiding Place

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

- Psalm 91:1

"shelter" is the Hebrew word "cether" (pronounced "say-ther") which means "hiding place."

The Bible commentator Fausset says that hiding place "denotes nearness to God... (to) abide or lodge secure from assaults" that a Christian "can well use the terms of trust" that we so often sing of in God.

Do you allow God to hide you, to protect you, take care of you? It's a problem of mine that I often want to jump out away from His protection in order to see if I can succeed of experience life on my own. I don't want to sit and talk with Him. It's at those times that I receive painful wounds because I forget, as the song says, "the arm of flesh will fail you."

Pastor Chuck Smith notes that in this verse we are reminded that "There is a place where you and I can live in Jesus Christ, a place of safety, peace, and joy." I think of this as I counsel many young people who are hurting, but don't want to let go of their own desires and ways. They dopmn't want to go to the hiding place of submission and let God start the healing process. I am reminded of quite a while back when I met with one girl who would not let God take over a dating relationship that had gone sour. She wanted to continue to force her views, impatience and timetable on the situation... and the boy has since gone far away, not seeing a peace in the relationship.

I don't point a finger at her... I've done the same myself.

But, boy, do I get rest when I go to God's hiding place and let Him talk.

Augustine

"Do you wish to be great? Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation. ... Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility."

-St. Augustine

Last night's meeting

It seems as if the Lord is not directing in the area of expanding or even maintaining the College Ministry... at least that's the direction I'm seeing. We had the information meeting last night for financial support and virtually nobody showed up. Since Jill and I have been pouring our incomes into the ministry, we've found ourselves under a severe financial strain, hence the meeting last night. The turnout sent a clear message to me that although I have a lot of vocal support in the community, there is little else, and so I am forced to postpone the ministry and see where the Lord is leading.

Jill and I had laid out a fleece concerning this meeting. The answer came through loud and clear.

Yes, I am disappointed, but when God makes it clear that a door uis shut, there's no use worrying or fussing about it.

Time to pick up and move on. I'll keep up my writing and publishing, but that's not the ministry I felt we were led into.

I wonder if there are any ministries in the United States who could use someone like me with a heart for college and/or career people?

If you know of one, please contact me.

Stay with Your Strengths

If you ever want to see diversification in action, stop by a local school sometime. In my years of teaching, I had friends who would wear numerous hats during the course of their job. One friend I knew taught history, coached volleyball, taught a foreign language, led a Social Studies class, and did out-of-class counseling... every day! Now that's diversifying!

The problem is, all he wanted to do was teach just one subject. That never happened, though. The school district needed teacher who could handle numerous subjects.

Spreading yourself around can be good - especially in the area of learning new trades - but it can also have its hazards.

Sometimes companies’ ideas on diversifying can raise a few eyebrows. I know that I was caught off-guard whenever I read a UPI story entitled “British Grocer Offers Dental Treatments. Now, our local Kroger’s has an indoor bank as well as a Starbucks, but the dental office was a new concept to me altogether. Sure enough, there was the story out of Manchester England. Grocery shoppers who would like to have a bit of teeth cleaning or a cavity filled can park their shopping cart and stroll on into the private dental clinic within the Sainsbury store.
In fact, the check-up fee of $28 dollars is among the lowest in the region, beating out the National Health Service charges. The Sainsbury's stores are making these dental services available seven days according to the Daily Telegraph.

Hmmm. Not a bad idea although I am not sure that I want to hear the whine of a drill while I’m walking the dairy aisle.

Diversification can get pretty radical. I’ve read about soft-drink companies buying up theater chains and liquor companies purchasing fried-chicken outlets. Sometimes this “spreading out” works. Sometimes not.

The same happens to me whenever I start freewheeling in my walk with the Lord. I find reasons to get on a rabbit trail instead of intensifying my walk with Jesus. I might get immersed in the social aspects of a Bible study group rather than the Bible itself. I will be more concerned with the number within a study group rather than the quality of Scripture and the time we spend in God's word. I might spend more time in my clothing preparation for church than in my spiritual readiness to hear what God has for me. You see where I'm coming from?

All the other stuff is dross. I don't want divesification in my walk with Jesus. I really do desire one goal:

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; (Phllpn 3:10)

Cafeteria Religion

Is it possible for man to find satisfaction in the afterlife and even here on earth if he chooses religions and core beliefs as if he was shopping for parts of a meal in a cafeteria? Is it possible for a person worship the true God in any fashion, with any rules or creed and have it accepted by God? What does the Bible say?

JOHN 4:23-24 – "'But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.'"

Are there many avenues to finding the right kind of worship to God?

ACTS 4:12 – "Neither is there salvation in any other [than Jesus]: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Could it be that God is okay if people reject the Bible but still want a spiritual experience?

ISAIAH 8:20 – "To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

DEUTERONOMY 4:5-8 – "'Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should act according to them…. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the LORD our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day? ''"

Is man the answer to all things?

PROVERBS 14:12 (16:25) - "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death."
JEREMIAH 10:23 – "O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps."

Little Things

One of the most intriguing things about Michael Phelps’ eight Olympic medal trek is that more than one of his victories was decided within a stroke or two of the final touch-pad. In fact, you may remember that a twist on the usual stroke brought him a win by the smallest of margins. Think of it: one action could mean the difference between first and fourth place.

Big victories are achieved through the smooth integration of small practices. In other words, you’ve got to be consistent with the “littles” in order to win the “bigs.”

Ignoring the minor details can be disastrous. This was brought home to the working Chicagoans who had offices in downtown business district known as the Loop. In an article in the April 27, 1992 edition of the U.S. News & World Report, the busy and productive Loop economic region had enjoyed a status of high-energy success… until one embarrassing and costly morning.
Traffic and business was stopped as thousands received reports about a leak. A big leak. In fact, a HUGE leak. A quarter billion gallons of dark Chicago River water was spewing into a 60-mile system of ancient freight tunnels directly beneath the Loop. The ensuing plumbing and electrical disasters stopped virtually every business in the area, costing untold millions of dollars in lost revenue.

The problem? It seems that a top city official was aware of the initial leak, but felt that the short-term advantage of saving some money for the local government was worth it. The repairs would have cost only about $50,000. The final cost of the damage? Over $1 billion.

Sir Humphrey Davy once said “Life is made up, not of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things, in which smiles and kindness, and small obligations given habitually, are what win and preserve the heart and secure comfort.”

The Bible expounds the same philosophy as Solomon writes "Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom."

Small things. Those nasty little sins can drive a wedge in our peaceful walk with Jesus. You know what I mean:

That impatient attitude towards your kids. That small lie to get you out of a situation. That exaggeration about yourself you place on your MySpace or FaceBook page (and let's also add the prideful attitude in doing so). The sarcastic remark you give to your spouse or good friend. The gossip you can't wait to share...

The little sins we commit are like rude replies to Jesus' questions about how we can grow closer to Him.

Sin

I have come to the conclusion that none of us in our generation feels as guilty about sin as we should or as our forefathers did.

- Francis Schaeffer