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This post has some really bad news and some potentially really good news.  I’m hoping you’ll think about the good more than the bad.  I’ll start off with the bad.

The bad news.

I’m not going to say much about it because, well, I can’t do anything about it and I don’t want any kind of repercussions from it.  So, here is the bad news…quickly.

Some of you know, most of you don’t.  Thirteen days after my surgery, the boss at work wanted to meet with me.  After 11 years of service, through some good times and through some not so good times, I was informed that I was not going to be going back to work for my, well, previous employer now.  Yeah, I was fired.  Wasn’t happy.  Still ain’t and for so many reasons.  They were nice enough to continue my insurance and disability until March.

Not sure what’s going to happen come March.  Especially seeing that I’m not well enough to work yet.  And still having tests etc.  But, it’s going to be just fine.  I’ve complete faith in God.

The good news.

I’ve written several posts about going back to school and getting my education in Bible or ministry and also being a counselor.  That word, ministry, is such a broad area that I can’t pinpoint which direction I’m going to be going, but I’m really feeling lead to be in the pulpit.

I’ve mentioned taking online courses at Liberty University and I got pretty far into that process, but with my back being the way it is, I put it on the back burner on simmer.  Well, there is a good possibility that I’ll be taking it completely off the stove after tomorrow.

This past week I went to the church offices and had a good long let-it-out session.  By the end of the session we had pretty much determined that this was just God’s way of closing one door and opening a window, somewhere.  I had thought that myself and to hear him say it only made it even more real, if you know what I mean.

I thought my next step might be to get a job and that’s not necessarily so.  I had to decide what I was/wanted to do.  Since it’s been on my heart for so long, getting into ministry is what I want to do.  Education will be my first major step and there is no better time like the present.  That’s what I’m praying for anway.

After the decision was made, my minister since then has made some phone calls and we have a meeting for 9:30 tomorrow morning with an adviser, maybe a professor at David Lipscomb University in Nashville.  Then, we’ll just see where God leads me from there.

I do have some things going through my head as far as income goes.  Got insurance to worry about and that sort of thing.  And of course, there is the whole issue with the back that’s ongoing (no word on an MRI yet).  But, tomorrow, the meeting is my first step and a huge leap of faith.  I couldn’t be more excited.

Because of HIM

SC

Worry implies that we don’t quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what’s happening in our lives. – Francis Chan

Three areas that I think I’ll update you on tonight.  Where we are on my back/neck issues, continuing education, and finally what’s up with the mediation and the kids. 

Health

The pain management doctor, some like to call the band-aid doctor, has done some playing with my medicine and I am taking some meds that are a little stronger than I was taking before.  The meds that I was taking, I was having to take way to often and with all the goings on in the news about over-dosing and too much acetaminophen, I was ready for something different.

Dr. Band-aid agreed and just like that, I’m on what I’m on.  Great thing is that I’m not experiencing any of the pain that I had been having in the past. In fact, the pain almost nil and when it does try to flare up, he’s given me something for that as well.

Bad thing is I’m seem to be in a constant state of wanting and needing sleep.  Some days are much worse than others, and when it seems that I may start having a good day or two, well, it’s short lived.  But, I guess it’s a necessary evil. 

I have been to a neurosurgeon and ESI (Epidural Steroid Injections) are in the works. I’ll have to have 3 shots in my neck on 3 different trips.  I thought they were going to start them this week but I haven’t heard back from the office with scheduling information.  I do have it on my calendar (for today) to call, but that will have to be moved to tomorrow since I didn’t call today.

Continuing Education

I did get my application turned in and was accepted to Liberty University.  I have also filled out and submitted the FAFSA forms, which is financial aid.  I’ve not heard anything  unless it’s sitting out there waiting for me to….

I’ve got to get my transcripts from Nashville Tech together and sent in to LU.  That’s another one of those things that I’ve got on my calendar (for today) that will have to be moved to tomorrow.  

So, I’m still going to do this.  I’m still excited and nervous.  I will say this though, and I’m not sure I like saying this, this step, this part of my life depends on how the financial aid part of all this works out.  But, I’m not gonna worry about that.

Mediation

There is another appointment scheduled for this coming Thursday @ 1:00.  I’ll need some prayers for that one.  Not sure my brain is in any kind of shape to do this.  It (my brain) seems to be a mess.  Yet, God’s got this one too so it will be fine.

Because of HIM

SC

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. –Matthew 7:7

I don’t have a lot of money.  It is the biggest reason going back to school isn’t happening.  I talk of faith in God and just doing what he says, and yet, here I am not in school. 

Just go.  Just take that step.  He’ll take care of you.  Fear keeps my feet firmly planted where they are. 

I’ve written a lot of want to’s. Want to go to school.  Want to continue my education.  Want to. Want to. Want to.  In fact, I’m sure some of you are probably about ready to choke me.  I would be.

Wasn’t long ago I even emailed Liberty University.  They let me know, in a way, that I need to get my transcripts together.  I started to do that.  Still want to go.

I still get emails from LU.  Emails wanting me to attend various webinars, or those “last chance” emails.  Last chance to sign up for such and such semester.  I don’t take them seriously. I’m still stuck here wanting to go. 

Even this past week I received an email from LU.  This one was pertaining to a webinar about the psychology program that they have.  Know what I did?  I put it on my calendar.  Yep.  Amazing huh?

See, the last few weeks it’s been just worrying me to no end.  Lot’s of thoughts about going back to school.  Lots.  Lots.  I was at wits end.  I had no money to even think about it.

I got that email about the webinar and something changed.  God used that moment, that second, that email to open the door wider than I’ve ever witnessed it as it pertains to what he wants me to do as far as school goes.  I responded to the email.

I responded about my fears.  My age.  My current degree.  My lack of knowing what the first step was and asked someone at LU to help me with my first step.  As I hit send I prayed.

Wasn’t 2 hours later I get a reply!  Thanking me and letting me know that my first step was the email.  The second thing I needed to do was send in my application to LU with the attached waived application fee!  God provided!

I’m not going back for Psychology though.  It’s not what He is wanting me to do.  Not going to major in counseling either, though I will minor in Christian counseling.  I plan to obtain my Bachelor of Science in Religion. 

I hear you skeptics, “Scott, you still have to have money to get your degree.”

Maybe.  But you know I’m not worried a bit about it.  There is no worry at all about this.  Nervousness? Yes.  Excitement? You better believe it.  It’s still a HUGE step.  But, I’m not in control of this at all.

After much praying.  After much thought.  After much debating.  This is the door that God has opened for me and I stepped through it.

What lies ahead?  What does the future hold?   I don’t know, but I’m so excited to find out. 

Because of HIM

SC