Rants & Raves

Tim Russert and the Fruit of Character

Scott Ross — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:50:24 GMT

Greetings…

Just a few thoughts.

I didn’t know or ever meet Tim Russert, the NBC host of Meet the Press, who died last week of heart failure. However, I know some people who did know and work with him.

As a broadcaster, he was a good role model for me in my own efforts as a journalist. Russert always did his homework, honored and challenged his guests without berating them, listened, and without a personal agenda attempted to find out the truth.

But beyond his broadcasting abilities, Tim Russert displayed the character of a man who embodied his core priorities of faith, family, and friendship. His wife, Maureen, son, Luke, and dad, “Big Russ,” and his church were at the top of that list; and with his co-workers, as the Washington Bureau Chief of NBC News, he built an extended family.

Last week when his heart stopped, he broke theirs.

Some time ago when Pat Robertson met Russert, Tim stated, “I am a Christian too, you know!” A Catholic Christian he was, and certainly the character of his life displayed that, as “a letter read by all men.”

God bless your memory, sir, and may the fruit of your heart and labor remain.

And now a transition that I hope is not totally divorced from these thoughts.

I have received numerous e-mails from folks asking me about a number of so-called church “revivals” that seem to be transpiring in various areas of the USA. CBN News has covered some of these, and although I have not attended any of the current events, I have done some research into two or three of them.

Some of the stories emerging from these gatherings seem to be quite spectacular, including purported physical healings and other supernatural manifestations. I know from Biblical accounts and from personal experience that God does demonstrate Himself in these ways. It was, after all, Jesus' calling card.

However, I do want to wave a flag of caution that there is a real mixture transpiring in many of these events. Not all of the occurrences are consistent with the character and conduct of Jesus Christ. It would behoove all who choose to attend these gatherings to go with an open heart, but with your feet planted on Scriptural ground, and to “examine the Word of God daily to see if these things are really so.”

The feelings, goose bumps, and hoopla will pass, but it is His Word that remains forever; and it is by the “fruits” (the character of their lives) of those conducting the meetings that you will know them, not their gifts.

Although I have been graciously gifted by the Lord both naturally & supernaturally, when it is all over and I am done on this planet, I would prefer to be remembered by the character of my life andnot my gifts.

It will take the rest of my time allotted to me here to work out with God’s grace the two commandments He gave us of “loving God, with my whole heart, mind and strength, and my neighbor as myself.”

I am trying to remember that now as I go into the voice over booth as Tim Russert did last week and breathed his last.

Thanks,

Scott

Dion DiMucci: The Wanderer

Scott Ross — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:49:41 GMT

Ah yes, road life…it’s been a while folks; but tomorrow (June 10) on The 700 Club, we’ll try to catch up.

For those of you who remember: "Teenager in Love," "Where or When," "Runaround Sue," "The Wanderer," "Ruby Baby," "Donna the Prima Donna," "Drip Drop," and an anthem of the Sixties, Abraham (Lincoln) Martin (Luther King) and John (Kennedy). Just some of the hits of Dion DiMucci.

But even with all the outward success, the inward man was in turmoil. The lyrics to "The Wanderer "allude to that:

“I ROAM FROM TOWN TO TOWN, I GO THROUGH LIFE WITHOUT A CARE, I’M AS HAPPY AS A CLOWN, WITH MY TWO FISTS OF IRON BUT I’M GOING NO WHERE.”

He and my wife Nedra (The Ronettes) toured together. Nedra and I told Di to ask God if He had a Son. This is what Dion says happened while he was out running:

“I was flooded with white light. It was everywhere, inside me, outside me — everywhere. At that moment, things were different between me and God. He’d broken down the wall. Ahead of me, I saw a man with His arms outstretched. 'I love you,' He said. 'Don’t you know that? I’m your friend. I laid down My life for you. I’m here for you now.' I looked behind me, because I knew I’d left something behind on that road. Some part of me that I no longer wanted. Let the road have it; I didn’t need it anymore.

“God changed my life that morning, and things have never been the same.”

His current album is getting rave reviews; Son of Skip James, which includes three “spiritual “songs.

Get the whole story tomorrow on The 700 Club.

Thanks,

Scott

An Innerview of You

Scott Ross — Thu, 15 May 2008 21:16:49 GMT

Hello folks. A real variety this week.

One of my jobs in life is to ask questions; below find some that you might want to ponder. Don’t rush it.

The “innerview” word comes from an actor I was interviewing years ago, and at the end of the interview, he wept and then said, “You don’t do interviews Scott, you just conducted an 'innerview' of me."

An Innerview of You
By Scott Ross

“When you get everything you want, will you have everything you need?”

“Where do you go from the highest?”

“Why do we attempt to sell that which we were given free?”

“How do the poor pay?”

“What comes out of you?

When the pressure comes on you?

“Do you react, or respond?”

“If you knew you were going to die for someone, how would you live toward them?”

“Are we helping people or leaving them helpless?”

“Do you live according to trends or truth?”

“How can you hear the sound of a different drummer if you are not listening?”

“Do we barter the truth for trifles?”

“Is there a contradiction between my outward actions and my inner intentions?”

“How can we presume to teach the next generation if we don’t choose to remember we were once like them?”

“Have you ever done as you like, and then afterward, didn’t like what you had done?”

“If your next act were your last—what would it be?”

“In attempting to attain success, (so called) were truth and integrity compromised?”

“Are we in love with our own theologies, dogma, and opinions, or truth?"

“How do you live when no one is watching?”

“Like wheat, we appear to be bright and shining on the outside. But when we are crushed, what appears— wheat or tare?”

“Are you living by Kingdom principles or by a generic American Christianity?” (Maybe neither)

Here’s a wonderful story from Jim Caviezel the actor who portrayed Jesus in The Passion of the Christ and I interviewed. We are pursuing an update on this story as we speak.

With Adoption of Second Disabled Child Jim Caviezel Makes Good on Pro-Life Convictions

"You have no idea the blessings that you have coming" says Caviezel to parents considering adoption

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/apr/08042907.html

I have personally experienced four types of skin cancer, including Melanoma, which is considered the “silent killer.” I embrace the Scripture, “The sun won’t strike you by day;” but I still wear a sun block and cover up.

Fair warning to all, please don’t take it lightly.

Skin cancer can sneak up on the most savvy

Monthly skin checks, vigilance are key to catching problems early

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24415128

A Beach Bum No More

Finally, I guess this personal story sent to me recently is part of the reason I’m still on the planet doing my job!

“Well, the story actually starts before that night in Orlando, Fla. in 1972. I was 20 years old, a college student, a "beach bum" surfer, and a "partier". I was working part time in a newspaper mail room in Orlando, and a fellow worker would witness to me from time to time. I avoided him, but for some reason I kept the tracts he gave me. (I disliked Christians, and arrogantly considered myself an atheist and an intellectual.)

On a Saturday night in late winter or early spring, I had gone out looking for a "party", but unusual as it was, I wasn't drunk or high on drugs that night. I was driving home by myself and stopped at a traffic light when the Scott Ross radio show came on the local rock radio station.

Scott Ross started talking about Jesus, and in that moment, I had a supernatural visitation by the Holy Spirit. God spoke to me inwardly and said, "Chris, this is your last chance. You know it’s true. You know that Jesus Christ is real. Repent and believe." I was overcome with conviction as I knew I was in the presence of God. I wept openly, and as best I knew how, began to cry out to God to forgive me and save me. As I did, a joy unlike anything I had ever known swept over me. I hardly remember the drive home.

When I got home, I ran around in the front yard yelling, "He's real! He's real! My younger brother thought I had "flipped out" on drugs. I went inside and got one of the tracts that my co-worker had given me, then drove up to a pay phone and called him. It was after midnight. I stayed up all night reading the New Testament, and went to church with John on Sunday.

A few weeks later, I was filled with the Holy Spirit. I was able to share my testimony with my former girlfriend (Joanne), who was then heavily in the drug and rock music scene in Tampa (at USF). She was saved, and about a year later we were married. We are now both 56 years old, and by God's grace still serving Him. In fact, I am more in awe now of His amazing grace and how He would choose to save a wretch like me than I was in 1972!

Thanks, Scott, for proclaiming the name of Jesus - it was the Word of Truth that God used that night to reveal the truth of the Gospel to me, and I haven't been the same ever since!”

For Him, Chris Cagle

Great stuff! Thanks folks, and I look forward to your responses.

Scott Ross

What Distinctions?

Scott Ross — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:36:50 GMT

And greetings to all!

It’s interesting to note that when one pulls back the covers on our so-called civilized veneer, many of the creepy crawly issues of the heart emerge.

Although many would not admit that we harbor any prejudice against any other people group or that it held any influence over us, recent discourse in the political arena has once again produced the “race card.”

A phrase has been coined that describes those that attend church congregations on Sunday morning as participating in and belonging to “the most segregated hour of the week.”

Understandably, many have been unable to relate to Christ the Caucasian, the blue-eyed Aryan. On the flip side, there are those who have identified Jesus as African, or whatever other ethnic persuasion one most closely relates to from our own cultural heritage.

Certainly, there are distinctions of cultures, and we each as individuals have different functions in life; however, a friendly reminder from the Scriptures that He created the “whole family of man” would be healthy for us to revisit.

Plumb Line of Truth:

Christians believe that the Son of God, Jesus Christ, was conceived by the Holy Spirit supernaturally to the Virgin Mary in flesh and blood on this planet as a Jew. Subsequently, as the Son of God, through His death and resurrection:

“He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth.” (Acts 17.26)

“God has shown me (Peter) that I should never think of anyone as impure. I see that God doesn’t show any partiality. In every nation He accepts those who fear Him and do what is right.”(Acts 28; 34-35)

“Jew and Gentile are all the same in this respect. They all have the same Lord.” (Romans 10.12)

“God has no favorites.”(Galatians 2.6; Ephesians 6.9)

“There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians – you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3.28)

“Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.” (Colossians 3.11)

And the future promise of Scripture states that Jesus Christ will return in flesh and blood to this planet just as He left; and when He does, He will be gathering people from “Every nation, and tribe and people and language.” (Revelation7.9: 14.6)

In the meantime, those of us who believe have a mandate to go into the entire world, to every nation, tribe, and people and language,” and/or neighborhood,and tell them about this non-sectarian Savior.

No distinctions.

Just thought we needed the reminder.

Thanks folks,

Scott Ross

American Idol (Again) and Neil Diamond

Scott Ross — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:19:33 GMT

Greetings, folks,

On Thursday's American Idol, two things: My personal favorite, Brooke White, was voted off. That’s it for me. However, Neil Diamond appeared on the show as the mentor to the contestants, and he sang a song from his new album, Home Before Dark that will be out in a week or so.

The song he chose to sing is called PRETTY AMAZING GRACE, and it is amazing in terms of lyrical content. You can hear the 5-MINUTE long PRETTY AMAZING GRACE at www.NeilDiamond.com. He was scheduled to do the TODAY show concert today.

This isn’t the first time that Diamond has written and recorded songs with spiritual content in the lyrics. His last album, 12 Songs, released a couple of years ago, contained the song "Man of God." That may be available on a download from his Web site.

Both albums have been produced by Rick Rubin, who produced all of Johnny Cash’s American Trilogy albums just prior to Cash’s death. Cash & Rubin used to celebrate communion on a regular basis while they were working together.

All that to say that throughout the years, my wife Nedra and I have prayed for musicians (among others), since that is the world we were part of. Without reading too much into it, in my opinion something spiritual is happening with Neil Diamond, and so to find out we are pursuing an interview with him.

We’d appreciate prayer for that, but also whether we land that or not, pray that whatever is going on in Neil Diamond’s life would bring forth “real fruit.”

Thanks guys,

Scott Ross

What's Your Excuse?

Scott Ross — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:13:30 GMT

Greetings and salutations one and all.

I recently had a conversation in regard to obeying God and following on to know Him. Most of my struggles throughout my life have been in regard to obedience; I am very good at making up excuses NOT to do something or procrastinating and putting it off until another time when it might be more convenient for me.

The trouble is that often my will and God's will are at cross purposes and somebody's will is gonna be done here. And this is where the wrestling match begins.

Evidently I am not the only one to go through this. What follows is a list of people who had all the excuses, arguments, and shortcomings as to why they couldn't measure up. See who you identify with and then you can do your own reading as to where they ended up and whose will was done. Maybe you have a better excuse.

Man’s Reaction to God’s Call

(Other than Scripture the source for this outline is unknown)

Moses –“I cannot.”
Gideon – “How can I?”
Isaiah – “Woe is me.”
Jeremiah – “I am but a child.”
Peter – “I am a sinful man.”
Paul – “In me dwells no good thing.”

And then there was:

Moses stuttered.
David's armor didn't fit.
John Mark was rejected by Paul.
Hosea's wife was a prostitute.
Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning.
Jacob was a liar.
David had an affair.
Solomon was too rich.
Abraham was too old.
David was too young.
Timothy had ulcers.
Peter was afraid of death.
Lazarus was dead.
John was self-righteous.
Naomi was a widow.
Paul was a murderer. So was Moses.
Jonah ran from God.
Miriam was a gossip.
Gideon and Thomas both doubted.
Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.
Elijah was burned out.
John the Baptist was a loudmouth.
Martha was a worrywart.
Mary was lazy.
Samson had long hair.
Noah got drunk.
Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse?
So did Peter, Paul—well, lots of folks did.

Not very religious or spiritual were they?

The fact is, “We have each gone his own way.” Isaiah 53.6

What's your excuse?

See ya,
Scott Ross

P.S.: I just want to add that it is exactly ten years ago this month that the disease known as Menier's came upon me, resulting in continual, perpetual dizziness and vertigo. There is no natural cure. I tried to use that as an excuse for a while for not doing some things, but God's answer was, "My strength in your weakness." And thanks for the prayers.

Idol, Extortion, Blowhards, and an OOOps

Scott Ross — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:58:34 GMT

Hello all,

In response to the deluge of e-mail comments I received regarding the performance of "Shout To the Lord" on the American Idol TV show last week, a friend e-mailed this bit of background information:

"Do you know the story behind 'Shout to the Lord'? Darlene Zschech needed one more song to 'fill out' her CD. She sat down and wrote that song in one short sitting… taught it to the choir and they recorded it… The producer (Russ Fragar) told me once that they'd selected another song on that album to be THE song… and this one EXPLODED when the CD was released! He said they never imagined something like that would happen, but that song is what put the Hill Song Church on the map!

Interesting how God does stuff, isn't it?"

In some recent business dealings with contractors, car dealers, real estate agents, and my reactions each time I pull up to a gas pump, or have to deal with the airlines, these thoughts have popped into my mind:

"Do you know what I want? says the Lord ….balanced scales. Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight. The Lord hates cheating and delights in honesty" (Proverbs 11.1)

The Latin word extortion would apply here, which is defined as "twist." Extortion is an unjust exploitation of people who are unable to defend themselves for whatever reason. It is largely motivated by selfishness and greed. And we wonder why our economy and the nations are in trouble.

On a related matter:

We are supposed to pray for all those in authority. Here is my prayer in regard to some current politicians who hold office and the Presidential race: "Let his days be few, and let another take his office." (Psalm 109.8)

Blowhards

I used to be on radio for many years and loved it; often more so than television; now, however, I almost but never listen any longer. In addition, I find it difficult to watch television with the constant barrage of commercials and talking heads. The cacophony of "blowhards" is deafening. Some thoughts:

"Don't talk so much. You keep putting your foot in your mouth. Be sensible and turn off the flow! When a good man speaks, he is worth listening to, but the words of a fool are a dime a dozen. You will give account for every idle word you speak. By your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned." (Proverbs 10.19-20; Matthew 12.36-37)

And less I add to the dissonance, my prayer for me: "Help me, Lord, to keep my mouth shut and my lips sealed." (Psalm 141.3)

Ah, yes, the "sounds of silence!"

Not everyone will be interested in the following recommendation; but for those who might be interested in Church history over the last one hundred years, The Charismatic Century is a great and informative read.

Co-authored by Jack Hayford, pastor, author, and hymn composer, with a good friend of mine, David Moore, pastor, lecturer, and writer on the history and theology of the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements, this book tells the story of a century long spiritual rainfall.

As the book tells us, this has been and is, as it continues, "the most profound event in modern church history."

I have been fortunate enough to have experienced many of the events described here and have known many of the men and women who God used to impact the nations. "Let it rain!"

(The Charismatic Century - The Enduring Impact of the Azusa Street Revival - Jack Hayford and S. David Moore - Warner Faith - Time Warner Book Group)

OOOps…

Last week I sent out one of these missives to you folks, inadvertently sending it with open addresses rather than the blind copies which is our practice. Many of the addressee's have asked that their names and addresses not be published. Some due to security reasons. I apologize that this occurred as I consider that trust to be sacrosanct. I ask that those of you who may be tempted to exploit these names and e-mail addresses for whatever reasons, please restrain yourself and honor the privacy of the persons and companies unintentionally disclosed.

Thanks for your understanding, prayer, and ongoing comments,

Scott Ross

'Idol' Shouted to the Lord, You Answered

Scott Ross — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:29:47 GMT

C.E.
I agree... I half cried when Michael Johns was voted out. Right after Ramielle Malugay.... wahhhhh. It should have been that girl Kristy Lee Cook who got axed!!! As you can see, we are REALLY into American Idol. In fact, my youngest daughter even auditioned for the local version. We stood in line for six long hours just to do this. Me, the stage mother. Ha ha ha.

E.P.
Thanks, Scott, as I do not usually watch Idol but thought that “Shout to the Lord” was tremendous; to GOD be the Glory!

Appreciate your keeping us up to “speed”.

A
Scott,

It blew me away as well - and last night they did say JESUS in the first line!

Hey, who knows? Maybe Simon will have a Damascus Road experience on AI! :)

R. S.
A good, reasoned perspective on this:

http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=61234

It's not nitpicking.

(I recall G. Harrison's "Sweet 'Lord'" — not MY Lord, but "a" 'Lord' — that business about "whoever denies my NAME..." I don't think that's been revoked, has it?)

D. T.
Just awesome, absolutely awesome!

Through this Idol performance in the world, the world is being judged and Jesus is being lifted up just as He said: "Now is the judgment of this world, now is the prince of darkness cast out. And if I, if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me."

Contact Scott Ross

Tony Orlando and the Soul of the World

Scott Ross — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:26:35 GMT

Greetings and salutations one and all.

My interview with Tony Orlando is slated to air on The 700 Club this coming Thursday (April 10). One of his big hits: "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree."

Many of you may remember Tony and the two lovely ladies known as Dawn, who accompanied him on his national TV show of the 1970s. Actually, Tony is an old friend of my wife Nedra; and he said that he selected the two women, Joyce and Thelma, who comprised Dawn, based on Nedra. Tony said, "Everyone loved Nedra's group, The Ronettes, but I was in love with Nedra."

Yeah, Tony, but she married me!

Tony had a crash and burn period following the death of his close friend and actor Freddie Prinz of the TV show Chico and the Man. Tony's battle out of darkness into the light of a new "dawn" says it wasn't his fame or fortune that pulled him through.

The Soul of the World

Recently, a friend and companion on the journey, Keith Fournier, sent a piece to me extracted from the words of an ancient second century Christian manuscript entitled “A Letter to Diognetus”. I thought it so poignant that it was worth forwarding to you.

To quote Keith:

We are called, to become the "soul of the world." Or, to use the Biblical imagery, we are to become “leaven” and “salt”, transforming the “loaf” of the culture from within in whatever country they live in.

Examining the words of that first century writing, written to a pagan inquirer to the Christian faith, is helpful. They are as extraordinarily relevant in the first century of the Third Christian millennium as they were in the first century of the First Millennium:

“For Christians are not distinguished from the rest of mankind either in locality or in speech or in customs. For they dwell not somewhere in cities of their own, neither do they use some different language, nor practice an extraordinary kind of life. Nor again do they possess any invention discovered by any intelligence or study of ingenious men, nor are they masters of any human dogma as some are. But while they dwell in cities of Greeks and barbarians as the lot of each is cast, and follow the native customs in dress and food and the other arrangements of life, yet the constitution of their own citizenship, which they set forth, is marvelous, and confessedly contradicts expectation.

They dwell in their own countries, but only as sojourners; they bear their share in all things as citizens, and they endure all hardships as strangers. Every foreign country is a fatherland to them, and every fatherland is foreign. They marry like all other men and they beget children; but they do not cast away their offspring. They have their meals in common, but not their wives. They find themselves in the flesh, and yet they live not after the flesh. Their existence is on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws, and they surpass the laws in their own lives. They love all men, and they are persecuted by all. They are ignored, and yet they are condemned.

They are put to death, and yet they are endued with life. They are in beggary, and yet they make many rich. They are in want of all things, and yet they abound in all things. They are dishonored, and yet they are glorified in their dishonor. They are evil spoken of, and yet they are vindicated. They are reviled, and they bless; they are insulted, and they respect. Doing good they are punished as evildoers; being punished they rejoice, as if they were thereby quickened by life. The Jews wage war against them as aliens, and the Greeks carry on persecution against them, and yet those that hate them cannot tell the reason of their hostility.

In a word, what the soul is in a body, the Christians are in the world...."

“Go into all the world.”

Special Commentary: How the Religious Right lost its ‘Religion’, lost its way and went wrong

By Deacon Keith Fournier
2/14/2008

Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Thanks all,

Scott

Rants & Raves

Tim Russert and the Fruit of Character

Dion DiMucci: The Wanderer

An Innerview of You

An Innerview of You By Scott Ross

“Are we helping people or leaving them helpless?”

What Distinctions?

American Idol (Again) and Neil Diamond

What's Your Excuse?

Man’s Reaction to God’s Call

Idol, Extortion, Blowhards, and an OOOps

'Idol' Shouted to the Lord, You Answered

Tony Orlando and the Soul of the World

An Innerview of You
By Scott Ross