Hey!  I changed the look and name on this site?  What gives?  Like most significant, spiritual breakthroughs in my life, I got a thought while getting out of the shower.  It boils down to this:  I don't want to put an obstacle in the way of someone who might be touched or blessed by what we (I say "we" because your comments truly shape this site) write on this site.  Anyone who spends any time here realizes that there is no, "We need to shoot missles at the devil!" nonsense, but why even give off the stink of it?

I've long since quit the notion that everything I write must draw upon some military parallel, so the name at the top of the page no longer matched the full content.  Of course, this message is still in my heart and I'll still be advancing the military special operations parable whenever I sense the inspiration.

As far as the organization, The Special Forces Group, is concerned - we're still alive and well.  If this is the first you're reading about it, click this link to check it out.  You can still get here using, www.thespecialforcesgroup.com for the next 90 days or so, but as of now the official site URL is www.scottbane.com.

I'm blessed by the connection we share through this site.  Peace.

I'm making some changes to the site content here. Tonight I start actually journaling. For the past year, I've written long articles about once a month (if even that often). The articles will continue - I get new ideas all the time, and I'm finishing Part 4 in the SERE series now.

This site is being transformed a bit into source of communication and update for our family and the church planting efforts that we're involved in, here in Tampa, FL.

Since moving here I've gotten a bit of ambition about exercising. I was out early this morning, running. The first couple times I went running I had to coach myself the whole time. "Just keep moving - it'll get better - you just need to get through this miserable, first patch and then you'll settle into a groove." Well, that's great advice but it never happened! I never got over the lung burn. Today was much better. Just as I started to feel good, I rounded a corner to see the sun rising over the palm trees. Incredible. It hit me how thrilled I am to live down here. I was overwhelmed with the goodness of God. Suddenly, I was also conscious of the song playing in my ears, and it was the perfect soundtrack to this stunning scene in front of me:

Creation speaks to me;

I'm stricken to my knees

In reverence and fear - Forever my Almighty.

The heavens in Your hand

Surpass the grains of sand

Who am I before you...? 

As I finished my run, making the turn onto my own street, the sun was now high enough in the sky to be generating some Florida, summer heat. There were no clouds in the crystal sky. The morning dew on the trees was sparkling like diamonds and again the song in my ears was perfect:

Hello sunny weather,

Hello sunny weather 

I'm currently in South Africa, talking to churches about evangelism and living in the Outflow (see: www.prettygoodbooks.com). It has been amazing! I'm interrupting the SERE series to post this update on the first leg of my trip. I've also posted this update at coastlandblog.com so forgive me if this is a repeat. If you haven't seen it yet, enjoy the article and a couple pictures "from the field."

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I'm thrilled to announce that The Special Forces Group has just launched an audio podcast! Now you can not only be encouraged and equipped by the written word, but with audio messages as well. I've designed a separate site devoted to the "SFG Podcast." The address is http://podcast.thespecialforcesgroup.com. Once you've landed at the site, you can subscribe to the podcasts through your email address just like you do the written articles. There will also be a permanent link available in the "Blogroll," under the name "SFG Podcast" at the main site, www.thespecialforcesgroup.com.

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There is a fantastic new book that you should certainly get a hold of. You recall the very first entry on this blog about the dramatic rescue of Kurt Muse from a Panamanian prison, in the 1980s. Mr. Muse has recently written a book detailing that experience. The book is called Six Minutes To Freedom, and can be ordered on Amazon or picked up at your favorite bookseller. Kurt Muse says of his experience, "I pray that it’s noted, that I could have not survived without Him at my side." I will be buying this book right away!

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