Monday, November 02, 2009
This from a friend:
Scott
“Kingdom content, particularly of apostolic and prophetic nature, needs to be aired in a way that introduces billions to the most well-kept secret of the planet: life in the Kingdom.
"In his brilliant communication strategy, Jesus used parables for everything he said to outsiders, but explained the secrets of the Kingdom only to insiders (Mk 4:10 & 11). Much of Christian media today does the exact opposite and attempts to preach plain text to those outside, while telling stories and parables to those inside. This media situation calls for a new Kingdom synergy in media.”
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Greetings folks,
As I write this, I was just informed that Mary Travers of the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary passed away yesterday at the age of 72. These age numbers are a bit mind-blowing to me.
The cause of Mary’s death was complications from chemotherapy associated with a bone marrow transplant she had several years ago after developing leukemia.
Some of Peter, Paul and Mary's many hits include "If I Had a Hammer", "Leaving On a Jet Plane" (a John Denver song), "Blowin’ in the Wind" (a Bob Dylan song), "Puff the Magic Dragon" (a kids' song written by Peter Yarrow and not about drugs).
My wife Nedra and I were friends to the other two members of the group, Peter Yarrow and Noel “Paul” Stookey. I had the great privilege of influencing Noel in meeting Jesus back in the late sixties. Paul calls me his “personal John the Baptist.”
I remember one night following a concert at Cornell University when Paul and I stayed up all night talking about who Jesus was and is. We also traveled together and did some concerts back in those days. Peter (who is Jewish) and I also enjoyed some lively discussions about the King of the Jews.
I also remember talking with Mary about the Biblical “woman at the well” as it was the theme of one of the songs in their repertoire. I have not seen or talked to her in many years. Mary had undergone a successful bone marrow transplant to treat her leukemia and was able to return to performing after that.
“It was like a miracle,” Travers told The Associated Press in 2006. “I’m just feeling fabulous. What’s incredible is someone has given your life back." She also said she told the marrow donor “how incredibly grateful [she] was.”
Here’s a couple of good obituaries on Mary from the New York Times and MSNBC:
Another friend from that same era Larry Norman moved on up to be with Jesus on February 2008 at age 60. Now a documentary is being produced scheduled to go into limited theatrical release in early 2010. Emmy-nominated director David Di Sabatino, takes a critical look at Norman's career and life in his documentary Fallen Angel: The Outlaw Larry Norman.
Larry was known as a righteous rocker who paved way for new genre of music.
• Larry was Christian rock musician before the genre existed
• His first solo album Upon This Rock came out in late 1969
• Norman's fans include U2, Guns N' Roses and Bob Dylan
• More than 300 versions of Norman's songs have been recorded by other artists
Larry Norman and I were friends. He spent part of his first honeymoon with my wife Nedra and me in Freeville, NY, back in the late '60s and early '70s where I had started a ministry in a barn called Love Inn (it’s still going today now called Covenant Love Community). Of course I played his music frequently on my Scott Ross radio show.
Larry and I traveled together and did concerts in coffee shops, bars, churches and auditoriums. He did the singing and I did the talking, and a few other things. The last time we were together a few years ago, we did a TV show together in Nashville, attended a Bob Dylan concert and stayed up most of the night talking. A few weeks later he sent me a number of Bob Dylan CDs I didn’t have in my library.
See you later friend; you are missed but your music leaves and makes memories.
CNN has written a good story.
Finally, here’s my interview with a man who is still with us, the original American Idol, Pat Boone. This is the complete interview.
And I’m “on the road again,”
Thanks folks,
Scott Ross
Remember, “What are these lives of ours but vapors that appear for a little while and then vanish away.” But for some of us there is more to the story, “To be absent from the body, is to be with the Lord!”
Monday, September 07, 2009
Hello and welcome to the oncoming fall season. Where did summer go?
To quote one of my producers: “Let your army of family and friends know that (your interview with) Pat Boone airs
September 8th on The 700 Club.”
Pat is the original "American Idol", and my wife Nedra (she of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame), accompanied me on this interview. Can you believe Pat Boone is NOT in the Hall? We talk about that among other things.
Also, I just went out with a camera crew and did some "Street Talk" segments for The 700 Club. It’s been a while since I have done these. So if I were to interview you on the streets, here are some questions for you on the subject of FAITH:
• What is faith?
• Faith in who or what?
• How does one acquire faith?
• An example of how faith has worked in your life.
• Have you been disappointed in faith?
• As life has progressed do you have more or less faith?
• Did you once have faith and lost it?
• If so, how do you regain it?
And then some questions on MIRACLES:
• Do you believe in miracles?
• Have you ever been privy to a miracle?
• Seen one or more?
• Been the recipient of a miracle? What was it? Participated in one?
• What was the miracle?
What would your response be?
This following article from friend Keith Fournier is well worth the read. It’s more than just a Catholic point of view. The Episcopal Church has already embraced this theology. This is an issue the catholic church in general and we who are individual members of that universal body is having to deal with.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Succumbs to Heresy – Keith Fournier
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America abandons orthodox Christian faith and practice by a 'majority vote'. Christians abandoning the clear teaching of the Sacred Scriptures and the unbroken Christian Tradition is not a new phenomenon in the 2000 year history of the Christian Church.
Inside: http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=34296
Merry Christmas a few months out.
BOB DYLAN RECORDING CHRISTMAS ALBUM; "O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM," "I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS" AMONG TRACKS
By Ryan McDuff, Bully! Pulpit News
August 5, 2009
LOS ANGELES, California ------Bob Dylan is recording his first Christmas album, that includes both Christmas carols and modern songs. At least four songs have reportedly been recorded for the album including, “Must Be Santa,” “Here Comes Santa Claus,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas" and “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”
.... Also, some final words from Ted Kennedy shortly before his death last week: “I believe in the Resurrection."
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Greetings one and all,
Over the years I have been asked when I was going to write a book. Thanks for asking; but for those who are not aware, I did write, Scott Free, which is autobiographical.
Others, who are aware of Scott Free, have asked when I was going to update and write another book. I have also commented on that subject below: Wrestling with Writing and Blogs.
And then there are those who could care less one way or the other.
However, I have written articles and conducted numerous interviews for the 700 Club over the years that have been transcribed. Recently, Jennifer Jones the lovely lady who posts my efforts (and my producers and people at CBN’s Internet Media) compiled the following list of people and subjects that constitute an intriguing body of work.
Perhaps assembled together, these could comprise the book I haven’t written. Check out the archive.
Thanks for provoking me.
Scott Ross
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Hi Guys,
Former world heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman and I had a nice sit down talk on the 700 Club about what he terms, “his most important title,” being a daddy. He has written a book about it, Fatherhood by George. Two of George’s daughters (out of a family of ten) also bring their perspective on what it was like to be a daughter to big George. Seven of his kids are all named George! See the story here:
http://www.cbn.com/700club/guests/bios/george_foreman_061208.aspx
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Preachers need to learn how to “twitter talk”
Twitter talk: in other words…be concise.
I recently attended a church meeting in which the preacher went on and on ad infinitum and ad nauseam for an interminable period of time. He was still at it, in prayer, when we left. I’ve been guilty of it myself over the years; but a few friendly reminders:
“Preachers are often drunk with the wine of their own wordiness.” (E. Stanley Jones)
“The voice of a fool comes through many words.” (Ecclesiastes 5.3)
“Let your words be few.”(Ecclesiastes 5.2)
“The more words you speak the less they mean.” (Ecclesiastes 7.11)
“And when you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly (theatrically) where everyone can see them. Pray in secret. (Jesus Christ – Matthew 6)
One can usually detect how much an individual prays in secret when you hear them pray in public!
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Finally this, which is a bit more severe with some straight talk.
Of late, I have had a number of women talk to me about their pastors (or other leaders including bosses) and co-workers who in private conversation "hit on them."
“These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes (or minds) of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them.” (2 Timothy 3)
In the work place, male/female relationships can be a “sticky wicket.” Co-workers can find themselves sharing intimacies that can cross the line into a realm that often time should be confined to a marriage and remain between husband and wife.
With single individuals, care needs to be practiced that the closeness of the relationship doesn’t violate the friendship of employer/employee rapport and expose the secrets of the heart that can lead to matters beyond innocuous or job-related conversation.
Note this: Leaders are in a more responsible position and are held to a higher standard of conduct, “For teachers(leaders) will be judged by God with greater strictness.”(James 3.1)
If you do have a grievance, and complaint against a person in charge, let it be confirmed by two or three reliable witnesses, and in the case of church issues, it should be brought before the whole church, so that others will have a proper fear of God.
In the workplace, all bosses are accountable to someone in the chain of command and you do have a court of appeal to a superior.
If the issue is not dealt with to your satisfaction, leave the church or job; and know this, it may not happen overnight, however:
“The sins of some people are blatant and march them right into court. The sins of others don’t show up until much later…Some you see right off, but none are hidden forever.” (1 Timothy 5.24 – The Message)
Thanks,
Scott Ross
Friday, July 10, 2009
Trying to catch up folks after a few weeks of road life.
So another icon Michael Jackson passes from the scene and has faced what we all will (like it or not) -- an appointment with God.
“So that everyone shall give an account of himself to God and Jesus Christ.” As singer Gladys Knight said immediately following the Staples Center memorial, “We all gotta go that way!”
I remember reflecting back a few years ago when another musical idol Frank Sinatra passed on, and I imagined the moment he stood in front of God singing, “I did it my way,” to Him who bears the title of THE WAY!
I didn’t know Michael Jackson, never met the man, but my wife Nedra and I do have mutual friends who knew him quite well, including Smokey Robinson and Andrae’ and Sandra Crouch, who participated in Jackson’s memorial last Tuesday.
As a matter of fact, God and Jesus made it into the program on a number of occasions.
Andrae’ Crouch and the choir opened the event with Andrae’s song, "We Are Going to See the King". The king he was singing of was not the King of Pop. Mariah Carey (with Trey Lorenz) ended a very sensitive “I’ll Be There,” with an exclamation of, “Thank you, Jesus!” Lionel Richie sang "Jesus Is Love". Stevie Wonder, a purported believer, rendered one of his own compositions an emotional, "Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer", exclaiming, that God must have needed Michael more than his remaining here.
There were other contributors throughout the program, but the literal bottom line at the program’s conclusion was intoned by Jackson family friend Pastor Lucious Smith of the Friendship Baptist Church in Pasadena, when he proclaimed: “The King of Pop has gone to meet the King of Kings!” And then he prayed in Jesus name. (How politically incorrect!)
Where is Michael Jackson now? This from the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah:
“You are loving and kind to thousands…You have all wisdom; for Your eyes are open to all the ways of men, and You reward everyone according to his life and deeds.” (Jeremiah 32.18-19)
A quick addendum to all this: The Christian Post published an article:
Gospel Artists Say They Did Not Lead Michael Jackson to Christ
The article purportedly quotes Andrae' and Sandra Crouch’s conversation and prayer with Michael Jackson just weeks before his death. I cannot verify the report but it’s an interesting account if true.
Another “departure” and testimony I can verify is that of friend Fred Travalena:
Fred Travalena dies at 66; master impressionist and singer
Los Angeles Times
When it came to impressions, Travalena had an early role model: his father, a onetime entertainer who sang and performed comedy. 'The Man of a Thousand Faces' could voice Bugs Bunny as well as Luciano Pavarotti. Travalena, a Vegas performer, talk-show regular and star of his own specials, died of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Fred was a follower of Jesus and a frequent guest on The 700 Club. We had lunch together the last time he was here, and as usual, he was excited about the things God was doing in his life and career. And for those who are interested in temporarily saying good-bye to Fred:
You are invited to a Celebration of the Life of
FRED TRAVALENA
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2009
Time: 1:00pm
Place: The Church on The Way
The Living Room
14300 Sherman Way (Southeast Corner of Sherman Way and Lennox)
Van Nuys, CA 91405
This is open to the public; please feel free to pass this information on.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted in Memory of Fred Travalena to the following organizations:
Providence Tarzana Foundation
Attn: Oncology Department
18321 Clark Street
Tarzana, CA 91356
In Memory of Fred Travalena
Checks should be made out to: Providence Tarzana Foundation
Fred Travalena Scholarship and Tuition Assistance Program
Ruth Eckerd Hall
1111 McMullen Booth Road
Clearwater, FL 33759
In Memory of Fred Travalena
Checks should be made out to: Ruth Eckerd Hall Foundation, Inc.
For more details go to:
www.fredtravalena.com
See you later friend Fred.
Finally: Reg Dwight you say? Also known as Elton John. How about Caleb Quaye?
Caleb was a close personal friend of Elton’s and played lead guitar in Elton’s band for ten years. In my interview with Caleb this coming Monday July 13th on The 700 Club, you can hear his story and how he fell from the top of his game, his crashing down, and then hearing a voice that said, “From now on your life will never be the same!”
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Hello all,
It’s been a little while since I last communicated.
This coming Thursday, June 18, 2009, The 700 Club will be airing my interview with one of the real “patriarchs” of the Christian faith, Oral Roberts.
At 91 years of age Roberts says he has not finished the work he believes God gave him to do. Since 1955 with his radio/TV shows, his miracle and healing tent meetings, the founding of a university, and numerous books, what could be left to accomplish? Join us on Thursday and hear him tell “the rest of the story.”
And this thought from another “patriarch” of the faith, A.W. Tozer:
“Every enlightened soul can see how we languish for fearless leaders and bold reformers who will dare to pass holy judgment upon the unscriptural goings on that are being substituted for New Testament Christianity in the majority of our churches. Somewhere there may be a freckle-faced stripling as yet unknown who will hear the call of God and go forth in dauntless love to become a conscience to the churches (and world).
Too many prophets of Jehovah these days are hiding in their caves, but somewhere there may be an Elijah. The bloodless softlings will say at first that he is uncharitable and harsh, but when he gets the prophets of Baal on the run they will tag along behind him, trying to look as if they had been on his side all the time. Well, he can’t come a day too soon.”
Thanks all,
Scott Ross
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Here are some current “words to the times.”
This coming Saturday, June 6 is the 65th anniversary of the Normandy Landings, known as D-Day; the first operations of the Allied invasion of Normandy, June 6, 1944. President Obama will be the star visitor at Saturday's commemoration ceremony landings in Normandy that helped turn the tide of World War II. The operation was the largest single-day amphibious invasion of all time, with 160,000 troops landing on June 6, 1944. 195,700 Allied naval and merchant navy personnel in over 5,000 ships were involved. General Dwight Eisenhower, was the Supreme Commander of the allied forces.
Following the war, Eisenhower subsequently became the 34th President of the United States from 1953-1961.
In light of his military history and as President, the Commander in Chief of all military forces, I thought the following, not often quoted statement by Eisenhower is food for thought as we reflect on this historic moment:
“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.
This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers; the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children.
This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron.”
The Honorable Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1890-1969
34the President of the United States
Supreme Commander, Integrated European Defense Forces
From a speech before the American Society of Newspaper Editors, April 16,1953
“I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” (Jesus Christ) Matthew 25:36 (New Living Translation)
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Jesus Christ) Matthew 5:9 (New International Version)
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Speaking at a Holocaust remembrance service recently in Jerusalem, Israeli President Shimon Peres said Ahmadinejad's (President of the Islamic Republic of Iran)address (at the United Nations)"constitutes an acceptance of racism, rather than the fight against it."
"It is hard to fathom why despots such as Hitler the Nazi, Stalin the Bolshevik and Ahmadinejad the Persian chose the Jews as the main target for their hatred, their madness and their violence," Peres said. "Perhaps they targeted the Jewish people because of its spiritual power - a nation poor in material possessions, but rich in values -- for he who is infected with megalomania fears the power of the spirit." (Shimon Peres)
“Remember the LORD in a distant land, and think on Jerusalem." Jeremiah 51:50 (New International Version)
Thanks folks,
Scott Ross
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
“I wasn’t afraid of the bombs.
To me, nighttime air raids over Glasgow (Scotland) were just the way life was—noisy, but not frightening. I accepted them the same way I accepted food shortages and soldiers in the streets; British and American uniforms side by side. At the first wail of the sirens I would climb into a chair beside the window to watch the city black out street by street, until all I could see was the flicker of flashlights as wardens went from house to house checking blackout curtains.
As far as I knew, life had never been any different. Outside I could hear men shouting, firefighting equipment rumbling by. Sometimes there would be earth-rocking explosions as bombs struck the Clyde Bank shipyards nearby. We often donned our gas masks and hurried to the bomb shelter beneath our building. Often time we did not and my Dad said we had to trust the Lord as the bombs dropped around us and the anti-aircraft fire from the roof of the adjoining building shot at the German planes in the night sky.”
Those are my childhood memories I wrote in my book Scott Free a number of years ago.
My dad lost four brothers in the so called Great War of World War 1. One brother had amnesia and didn’t show up until over fifty years later in England. No one knows where he had been. That’s another story. My Dad lied about his age and enlisted in the British army at seventeen years of age to get revenge on the Germans. There are numerous stories of God’s supernatural intervention in his life that saved him, both physically, and spiritually. My maternal grandfather was an officer in the British army and survived, but not without “shell shock” as they called it then.
Memorial Day is more than beer parties and the beginning of summer; and Thanksgiving Day more than turkey; it should be a time to express gratitude to God and the men & women who gave their all.
As an immigrant son to America from Scotland, I just want to say thank you, and with Winston Churchill salute those who gave their “blood, sweat, and tears.”
As filmmaker Ken Burns stated after completing his masterful film series on World War II:
“Instead of the shared sacrifices World War II demanded that created community and made us spiritually richer, we’re so lacking today. We aren’t asked to give up anything. We’re narcissistic free agents. Surfing the Internet alone. Watching TV alone. Driving alone. There’s too much Pluribus and not enough Unum.”
My prayer: “Come, see the glorious works of the Lord…who causes wars to end throughout the earth, He breaks the bow and snaps the spear in two; He burns the shields with fire.” (Psalm 46.8-9)
God hasten the day, I pray.
Scott Ross
Friday, May 22, 2009
Hello all.
Evidently some of you folks have started officially blogging me. The comments below are responses to the Obama/Netanyahu/ Israeli/Palestinian meetings a few days ago. Subsequent to those meetings Prime Minister “Bibi” Netanyahu has announced that there will be no divided Jerusalem.
We continually pray for the peace of that city. However, personally I don’t see how that can happen without embracing the Prince of Peace.
Thanks for your comments and have a good Memorial Day weekend, and may the Lord bless the people and families that make it possible to celebrate the freedoms we realize.
Nedra and I are “free to ride” our motorcycle for the holiday. Vertigo man rides again literally “by the grace of God!”
Thanks,
Scott Ross