tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25228147953230593192012-02-16T05:33:23.907-06:00KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817472107881941861noreply@blogger.comBlogger2121100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-36568259685048279832011-10-31T20:00:00.002-05:002011-10-31T20:32:25.938-05:00

So tonight is Halloween and for a few hours now the parade of kids has been making the rounds in our neighborhood. The costumes of the young Trick or Treaters at the door have been varied: ghosts/goblins, witches, Super Mario, football players, Spiderman...pirates seem to be a very popular choice this year. The most creative in my book was a little girl who was dressed up as "Mother Nature,"

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-78322601743177456362011-08-27T14:34:00.007-05:002011-08-27T15:08:00.423-05:00

This past weekend I was part of the COS mission team that went to Joplin to continue the work of helping that community recover from the devastating May 22 tornado. We worked to pick up debris out of a field; everything from boards, tree branches, nails, pieces of sheet rock and insulation, newspaper, broken cement blocks, and all kinds of broken glass. It was hot dirty work and at times we

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-32566714170548051222011-08-06T11:42:00.003-05:002011-08-06T12:18:32.088-05:00

Long time no blog. Sorry. When I was growing up there was a daily early morning fishing show on the radio and the host, Bill Ring, signed off the same way everyday. "If you're too busy to go fishing, you're too busy!" Wise words...and perhaps the same thing can be said about my blogging.Ran across an interesting article the other day written by astronomer Mike Brown whose ground breaking (or

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-51603148840808180842011-07-15T14:38:00.003-05:002011-07-15T14:42:35.115-05:00

So I am making a left turn in the inside lane of a double turn lane at a busy St. Charles intersection…get the picture? I just happen to glance at the car making the same left turn next to me. To my surprise…shock really…the driver in the car next to me is reading a book while navigating the turn. Visions of the Allstate “mayhem” TV commercials rolled through my mind as I eased off the

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-85185777491526690782011-07-09T11:45:00.006-05:002011-07-09T12:57:28.065-05:00

I was walking out the doors of Church of the Shepherd about 5:30 one evening this week; minding my own business, heading to my car, and there it was...a deer standing at the bottom of the parking lot. Cars were moving through the traffic light a short distance away, people were depositing mail in the drive-up mail boxes across the street, the roar of highway 94 rush hour traffic was in the

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-78612007991456370262011-07-01T16:19:00.004-05:002011-07-01T17:31:52.412-05:00

Fireworks, BBQ, parades, music, summer heat, gathering with family/friends, flag waving, baseball games, a three day weekend...it's definitely the 4th of July...time to celebrate freedom! Liberty, independence, autonomy, free will, lack of restrictions, self-determination...however you choose to define it, freedom is near and dear to us in the USA and it is something worth celebrating! Growing

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-58558821399641970592011-06-29T15:32:00.006-05:002011-06-29T16:27:46.893-05:00

Heaven...what comes to mind...streets of gold, little angels flying around playing harps, eternity, or Iowa (remember Field of Dreams)? The other day I was listening to an interview of Lisa Miller, the religion editor for Newsweek magazine. One of the most intriguing parts of the interview was when Ms. Miller began to talk about how in writing her new book (Heaven: Our Enduring Fascination with

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-88001097293539499062011-06-24T13:51:00.010-05:002011-06-25T11:35:57.173-05:00

Phoebe, Prisca, Aquilla, Epaenetus, Mary, Andronicus, Junia, Ampliatus, Urbanus...it's a long list of names that comes near the end of Paul's (first great Christian missionary) 1st century letter to the church in Rome; what we now call "Romans" in the New Testament (Romans 16:1-16, NRSV, http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrsa/romans/passage.aspx?q=romans+16:1-16). They are followers of Christ that

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-7778199661237567632011-06-21T16:58:00.003-05:002011-06-21T17:05:43.774-05:00

What’s up with the weather? Tornadoes, flooding, earthquakes, wildfires…Hardly a week goes by that there isn’t news of some natural disaster/event. So is this a normal cycle we’re going through, just a coincidence…or is it something more? In ancient times natural disasters and personal misfortune were seen as divine punishment, just as prosperity and good fortune were seen as divine favor.

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-28545236755010247092011-06-18T13:36:00.004-05:002011-06-18T14:03:58.656-05:00

The other day I stumbled on to a youtube video of Christian comedian Mark Lowry sharing his childhood story called "Momma Had Enough," (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHdp8yd1bQY). It's hilarious.It reminded me of the last time I ever remembered getting a spanking as a kid...I was probably 10-11 and too old, or so I thought, to get it that kind of trouble with my folks. We were on our way home

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-37044228271462429902011-06-14T10:02:00.004-05:002011-06-14T10:49:20.514-05:00

Fake, phony, counterfeit, false, bogus...you get the idea. Nothing much positive about any of those words. Sometimes it's easy to spot something, or someone, that is fake...sometimes it's not...especially when that someone is you. Several years ago in a job evaluation, my boss said that I was a real "people person," and meant it as a positive comment. Somehow on the inside that just didn't

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-83977321154624979602011-06-10T15:16:00.004-05:002011-06-10T15:57:34.911-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I was intrigued by a radio interview with singer/song writer Rickie Lee Jones. At one point the interviewer noted that the titles of the last two album releases of her long career had a decidedly religious twist (The Sermon on Exposition Boulevard and Balm in Gilead), and asked Jones if she was becoming more Christian in her beliefs and life?Jones' response was quick, but

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-45577758976055778532011-06-01T10:47:00.005-05:002011-06-01T11:27:51.195-05:00

Spent some vacation time in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park the past couple of weeks (http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm). What a great area of the country to experience God's creation! Driving, hiking, and biking through various parts of the park, my wife and I were in awe of beauty of the mountain forests, spring flowers, mountain streams, and wildlife. We spent one day hiking Mt. Le

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-74686291822884800572011-05-07T11:54:00.002-05:002011-05-07T12:33:15.839-05:00

It's hard to not be overwhelmed with the "newness" of spring these days! Spring flowers have yards and gardens literally exploding with new splashes of color. The trees have traded their bare limbs of winter for dazzling new layers of every shade of green imaginable. Each day the breeze brings fresh air loaded with the heavy aroma of new buds bursting open...and yes all the pollen that brings

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-31974312025931883742011-04-28T13:58:00.003-05:002011-04-28T15:47:37.103-05:00

"Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he is risen!" (Luke 24:5b-6a, NIV). The very first Easter sunrise service I can remember going to happened when I was 8 or 9 years old. Actually it would be more accurate to say the Easter sunrise service came to me. It was the first Easter for the new church that my parents were helping to start. Since it was still a relatively

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-61873068710291281622011-04-16T10:47:00.003-05:002011-04-16T11:45:55.940-05:00

Just about as long as I can remember I've always heard and been taught that it is "more blessed to give than to receive." The phrase actually comes from the Bible in the New Testament book of Acts when Paul, the first great missionary of the Christian faith, shares that this is something that Jesus himself said (Acts 20:35). I believe what both Jesus and Paul may have had in mind was that since

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-10702564988041582872011-04-09T11:21:00.005-05:002011-04-09T12:14:18.582-05:00

Those of you that have yard care duties at home have perhaps been doing the same thing at your house the last week or so...watching the grass grow...wondering when to make that first cut of the new mowing season. To mow or not to mow? It's always a tough call for me. As the weather warms and the grass pops up it always looks a little ratty until it's had that first cutting. On the other hand,

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-87835382097301092812011-04-02T19:55:00.004-05:002011-04-02T21:05:43.263-05:00

After today's warm temperatures here in the St. Louis area (70 degrees on Saturday)...it may be hard to remember that just a week ago it was snowing! We woke up last Sunday morning to 4-5 inches of snow...an odd sight for late March for sure. Stranger still was stepping out on the deck that morning to take in the beauty of the snow covered trees and being serenaded by the melodious sound of the

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-77299096740245268892011-03-20T17:59:00.002-05:002011-03-20T18:33:40.090-05:00

Ever have one of those days when nothing seems to go right, where your list of things to do just seems to get longer and longer, or when no matter what you do you just can't make everything work the way you want it to? I had one of those days recently and as the day rolled on my mind moved from one demand for my attention to another, and to another, and to another....at a dizzying pace! I

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-72255207133889438532011-03-12T13:06:00.002-06:002011-03-12T13:37:33.206-06:00

The words jumped off the page of the Bible, "Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it..." What followed was the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus. Great story; if you are not familiar with it check it out at http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2019:1-10&version=NIV. The part of the first verse that jumped off the page "...was passing through it," was something I have read

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-27000821477760405022011-03-05T21:16:00.004-06:002011-03-05T21:38:28.315-06:00

It's a classic TV commercial! Pittsburgh Steelers hall of fame defensive lineman "Mean" Joe Greene is limping back to the locker room after an apparently rough day on the football field. A young boy (probably a forty something guy by now) offers him a Coca Cola (in a ice cold glass bottle). Greene turns back around in gratitude and tosses the young boy his game jersey. (http://www.youtube.com/

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-589759893086772362011-02-26T08:46:00.003-06:002011-02-26T09:34:27.367-06:00

It was about 12:30 a.m. this past Christmas morning. It had been a wonderful, but very long, day of Christmas Eve services at COS as hundreds of people had joined together to celebrate "The Day Hope Was Born!" The final service had ended just after midnight and all the greetings of "Merry Christmas" had been shared as people left the building. There were only a handful of us left putting

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-26643574623582453682011-02-15T15:52:00.001-06:002011-02-15T15:53:33.512-06:00

This past Sunday afternoon I was sitting out on our deck at home marveling at what I was experiencing! With the temperature well into the 60’s most of the snow had melted on the southern slope behind our house; there were all kinds of green and brown earth once again visible. The still dormant trees were swaying to life in the gentle southern breeze and the birds were beside themselves singing/

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-51056250077136779892011-02-11T14:39:00.004-06:002011-02-11T15:20:07.747-06:00

A few days ago I was reaching for something on our food pantry shelf and accidentally knocked a box of grits off the shelf. For those not initiated into the finer things of "southern" cooking, grits are dried/ground up corn that has a consistency about twice the size of corn meal. It's cooked and eaten as a breakfast side dish. Really good...try it sometime with some melted butter. Soooooo I

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-7551571080678511442011-02-01T17:26:00.009-06:002011-02-01T18:14:00.060-06:00

"And hope does not disappoint us..." (Romans 5:5a, NIV).This past weekend Church of the Shepherd (COS) Lead Pastor, Robyn Miller, rolled out a new vision for COS: "Finding and Offering Hope." You can catch the full sermon at http://www.coswired.org/listen-to-messages.html. Starting now, the COS community will be about the business of leaning into this vision...of living into the reality of

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-81992534632119416042011-01-28T15:03:00.003-06:002011-01-28T16:01:49.220-06:00

During this very wintry January here in the St. Louis area, I've noticed that there are two very distinct types of people living in my neighborhood when it come to snow ; "shovelers" and "non-shovelers."The "shovelers" get right out after a snow storm to shovel/blow off the snow from their driveways/sidewalks...if possible before anyone has had a chance to walk or drive on those surfaces. The "

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-49202657225237475392011-01-22T11:15:00.007-06:002011-01-22T14:08:38.832-06:00

This week the country and the media have continued to marvel at the progress of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' recuperation! We continue to pray for her and others injured in the Tuscon shooting. Yesterday, just two week's after the brutal attack on her life, came a huge turning point with her transfer from Tuscon to a Houston, Texas medical center where she will continue her recovery.

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-90234307832462600042011-01-14T12:49:00.006-06:002011-01-15T11:33:23.763-06:00

Our thoughts, our conversations, our media, and our nation have been consumed this week with the awful event of last Saturday's Arizona shooting...and rightfully so. Senseless violence is the absolute opposite of the ideal of our nation and of our God. I encourage you to continue to be in prayer for all those involved in this tragedy; the families of those who were killed, the wounded (

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-85280792112247930462011-01-12T06:09:00.006-06:002011-01-12T06:44:06.217-06:00

Lot's of times we hear, or even use ourselves, the words hope and prayer together. "All I've got is a hope and a prayer." "I sure hope God hears my prayers for..." I hope I'm living right so that God answers my prayers for..." As we learned this past weekend at COS hope is not about wishful thinking, positive thinking, or the last thing we have to hold on to when things are really bad (listen

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-737830249838865612011-01-05T05:47:00.004-06:002011-01-05T06:41:43.373-06:00

A sunrise that suddenly bursts on to the morning scene, a flashlight that brightens a dark closet corner, the aura of a candle on the dining room table when the power goes out, a cell phone illuminating the bedroom with an early morning call or alarm, the warm glow of an evening campfire...these and other images bring to mind the contrast of light and darkness. Before the memory of Christmas

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-51881449202352630732010-12-31T13:55:00.007-06:002010-12-31T15:13:26.135-06:00

It's that time of year again...looking back on 2010 and looking forward to 2011. Invariably our thoughts and conversations turn to making a New Year's resolution or two. I haven't totally made up my mind yet, but some possibilities for my 2011 resolutions include praying more each day, becoming a better time manager, and reading more "just for fun" books. Guess I better make up my mind soon,

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-44956876475171036192010-12-25T08:43:00.004-06:002010-12-25T08:50:09.990-06:00

It's Christmas day. Christ has come again! It doesn't get any better than this!"God, thank you for the gift of your Son...the baby Jesus...and all the hope, salvation, joy, and peace he brings!"Thanks for joining me for these last 30 days of the Thanksgiving Challenge. It is said that if you do something for 30 days it becomes a habit, so I hope we have developed the habit of stopping at least

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-90170791897494957262010-12-24T10:30:00.002-06:002010-12-24T10:35:06.629-06:00

Today, Christmas Eve, we have light snow in the St. Louis area. It is really pretty...and yes it will be a white Christmas. "God, thank you for the beauty of the falling snow!Join me for day 30, the final day, of the Thanksgiving Challenge...tomorrow Christmas day. Stop once during the day and tell God something you are thankful for!Merry Christmas and may the hope of Christ be with you!

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-9589818656163082552010-12-23T14:30:00.003-06:002010-12-23T14:36:49.723-06:00

At my house out-of-town family guests are already arriving for Christmas. It's great to spend time with them, visit, and catch up on life! Perhaps it's the same at your house or maybe you are/will be the out-of-town family coming to visit. Either way it's a reminder of what a gift our families are. "God, thank you for my family!"Join me in these last few days of the Thanksgiving Challenge.

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-76425821220259575232010-12-22T17:38:00.003-06:002010-12-22T17:42:46.639-06:00

It's the week of Christmas. Yes most people are busy, but there is a bit of a difference. In many people I am meeting there is a sense of joy and anticipation. It's Christmas!"God, thank you for the difference a small baby born in a stable over 2000 years ago makes in our lives...thank you for the gift of Christ!"Join me in the final week of the Thanksgiving Challenge! Stop one time each day

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-62361842044829576212010-12-21T18:46:00.002-06:002010-12-21T18:52:58.931-06:00

A friend said something to be the other day that really got me thinking about what I believe and why it is important to me. It was a bit of a struggle to think it all through, but in the end I felt more confident in my faith. All this to say that my friend's comment. despite being a bit troubling at the time, turned out to be a real gift."God, thank you for the questions/insights I receive from

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-14577843591064687442010-12-20T15:33:00.002-06:002010-12-20T15:41:17.875-06:00

Just as it was beginning to turn light yesterday morning, I looked out the window and was amazed to see four deer feeding just 60-70 feet from the back of our house. I watched them for quite some time as they slowly made their way past our house and out of sight. I was blessed/reminded of the grace and beauty of God's creation."God, thank you for all of your creation and how you care/provide

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-75952713516282385932010-12-19T16:56:00.002-06:002010-12-19T17:02:58.044-06:00

It was a great weekend of worship at COS! Over and over I was reminded of how many people it takes to make worship happen: music folks, computer/technical folks, hospitality folks, group leader folks, children's ministry folks worship leading folks...What a pleasure to partner with all of them to offer our very best to God!"God, thank you for all the people that make ministry at Church of the

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-43651172644411463562010-12-18T19:55:00.003-06:002010-12-18T20:03:49.089-06:00

A pastor friend of mine calls them "thin" moments; those times when the distance between you and God is closer than normal...when the reality of God is more present. Maybe it's in the hearing of a familiar Christmas carol, or seeing a gorgeous sunset, or a truth becoming clear in a pastor's sermon...It's when God comes near."God, thank you for those moments when you break through and touch my

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-57132814200459494252010-12-17T13:37:00.003-06:002010-12-17T14:17:22.182-06:00

Finally started pulling out the Christmas tree and decorations this week at our house. Due to a hectic schedule, getting the house decorated has been an "running" project, little-by-little taking shape. Last night as I was putting the finishing touches on the Christmas tree I rummaged through all the ornaments, picking out the ones I wanted to put on the tree. That's always a lot of fun...and

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-19947405071884593652010-12-17T07:28:00.002-06:002010-12-17T07:37:03.320-06:00

I believe I have experienced situations where even though something not too good happened...it could have been worse...even disastrous. Some believe in luck, some believe in fate, and some believe in guardian angels. It's a mystery to me, but somehow I know God can, and at times does, break into my life in ways that keep me, and/or others in my life, from harm or from further harm...and I am

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-43581894447809552512010-12-16T11:05:00.002-06:002010-12-16T11:09:52.972-06:00

With the icy slick roads of last night and this morning I've been reminded again of all the road department workers and first responders who brave the elements to help keep us safe. "God, thank you for all those who get out to make icy roads safer and who respond to emergencies in this adverse weather!"Join me in the Thanksgiving Challenge by stopping each day from now until Christmas to thank

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-89904376329202265072010-12-14T15:43:00.005-06:002010-12-14T16:17:26.121-06:00

Heard one of those incredible stories the other day on the news; it seems that one of the owners of a store in Edmonton, Canada walked in on two would be thieves who had broken in when he came to open up a few days ago. He chased one of the thieves down after calling police. Here's the good part, everyone is still trying to figure out why this particular store might have been targeted for theft

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-49267217513410081252010-12-14T08:53:00.000-06:002010-12-14T08:56:53.868-06:00

It was really cold this morning and it felt soooooo good to hold a cup of hot tea in my hands and then slowly sip it down! Warm things on a cold day...marvelous!"God, thank you for warm tea on a cold December morning!"Join me in the Thanksgiving Challenge by stopping once each day between now and Christmas to thank God for one thing. Share what your thankful for on the blog or in an email to me

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-69360174628891374002010-12-13T11:19:00.002-06:002010-12-13T11:25:31.275-06:00

Still singing to myself a cool song the choir sang yesterday at COS. Every time it pops into my mind I'm reminded of how great it is that God is in my life! It is amazing how music influences our lives in so many good ways!"God, thank you for the gift of music and the many talented singers and musicians that bring it into my world!"Join me in the Thanksgiving challenge. Stop once a day, every

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-14810922934142796022010-12-12T17:59:00.002-06:002010-12-12T18:04:18.683-06:00

Today was the first Sunday we had live online video streaming of our worship services at Church of the Shepherd. I am constantly amazed at today's technology and at the gifted people I know who can make it work! "God, thank you for technology like online streaming and all the lives you change with it!Just 13 days left in the Thanksgiving Challenge. Join me by stopping once each day and telling

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-6185023415998525042010-12-11T19:14:00.002-06:002010-12-11T19:18:43.043-06:00

It is amazing what a warm welcoming smile can do to a room. "God, thank you for the many smiles I have experienced today!"Join me in the Thanksgiving challenge. All it takes is stopping once each day for the next 14 days (through Christmas) and telling God one thing you are thankful for. Feel free to share what you are thankful with me on the blog or in an email (blackshers@gmail.com).

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-52561374714389263162010-12-10T12:17:00.009-06:002010-12-10T13:08:51.327-06:00

I couldn't help but notice the headline a couple of weeks ago in the Post-Dispatch, "Mid Rivers Mall Offers Express Lane to Santa." No really, I kid you not. "It's like call-ahead seating for Santa. Mid-Rivers Mall in St. Peters is piloting a new program called Santa Fast Pass to help families avoid long lines to see Santa." So if you have ever spent 30-45 minutes, or more, in that long Santa

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-17988070916210592342010-12-10T12:17:00.001-06:002010-12-10T12:17:14.009-06:00

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-55000117399441021812010-12-10T10:00:00.002-06:002010-12-10T10:12:34.246-06:00

This week I've had the opportunity to spend some time with a number of friends that I haven't connected with for awhile. It was great to catch up with them and spend time with them."God, I thank you for friends and for all that they add to my life!"Join me in the Thanksgiving challenge by stopping each day through Christmas and thanking God for one thing. It's as easy as saying, "God, I thank

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-11110693607031533412010-12-09T12:53:00.002-06:002010-12-09T13:01:03.992-06:00

Doesn't happen every time, but today I was reading a very familiar passage from the Bible and yet something brand new came to mind from reading that familiar story. It was like it literally jumped from the page and I wondered, "why have I never noticed that before?" That's the living word of God at it's best!"God, thank you for your word, the Bible, and how you make it fresh, real, and relevant

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-81364788381420829032010-12-08T11:53:00.002-06:002010-12-08T11:58:54.624-06:00

It was still dark this morning when I went out to get the newspaper. As always when I looked up the stars put on a dazzling show. I was reminded about the boundless wonder of our universe and all of God's creation really!"God, thank you for the bright and countless stars in the early morning sky! It was an awesome show!"Join me in taking the Thanksgiving challenge by stopping one time each day

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-40331636755683704392010-12-07T18:11:00.002-06:002010-12-07T18:16:24.633-06:00

I've spent some time the last few days driving around and looking at some of the Christmas lights/displays that are around. They are one my favorite things about the Christmas season and are a reminder to us of Jesus being the light in/to/of our world.God, thank you for all the beautiful Christmas lights!Join me in the Thanksgiving challenge (see Nov. 26 blog). Stop once each day between now

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-12703311548156819252010-12-07T17:21:00.003-06:002010-12-08T11:52:35.412-06:00

I remember when my birthday was coming up the year I was in kindergarten...How long ago was that? Let's not go there and say we did okay...Ha! Anyway for my birthday that year, my mom baked and decorated this really cool cake that looked just like a white teddy bear...like the small teddy bear I had just about worn out by that time in my life. The cake was decorated with really cool icing of

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-84490824531737848012010-12-06T09:26:00.003-06:002010-12-06T09:30:43.022-06:00

My wife Natalie is truly my best friend and partner in life! I can't imagine life without her and I know that she is God's precious gift to me."God, thank you for my wife Natalie!"Join me in the Thanksgiving challenge (see Nov. 26 blog). Everyday between now and Christmas, pause once a day and tell God something you are thankful for. Share what you are thankful for with me on the blog or in an

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-48097528747335976442010-12-05T17:05:00.002-06:002010-12-05T17:11:30.093-06:00

It was a great weekend of worship at COS this weekend! It reminded me of what a blessing it is to be a part of a loving, caring, and growing community of faith!God, thank you for allowing to be a part of such a wonderful church here at COS!Join me in taking the Thanksgiving challenge (see Nov. 26 blog). For the next 20 days (through Christmas) stop once a day and tell God one thing you are

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-74650997812624970362010-12-04T14:12:00.003-06:002010-12-04T14:17:53.029-06:00

No one has ever accused me of being on the cutting edge of fashion design, but on a cold blustery December day like today, I know I have plenty of clothes to wear and a coat to keep me warm. "God, thank you for the clothes I have to wear and the protection/warmth they provide."Join me in taking the Thanksgiving challenge (see Nov. 26 blog). Everyday between now and Christmas, stop at least once

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-74299040498723440582010-12-03T16:55:00.003-06:002010-12-03T17:06:45.638-06:00

It's amazing how modern medical care has advanced in such a short time. Today there are so many common health enhancing, and life saving, medical tests/procedures/medications that just a few decades ago would have been considered risky or were non-existent. God, thank you for partnering with so many doctors, medical workers, medications, and procedures to heal us. Join me in taking the

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-25540634521011710482010-12-02T11:56:00.003-06:002010-12-02T12:03:38.131-06:00

I really enjoy living in the St. Charles/St. Peters area. There are so many great community, business, and organization leaders at work to make this a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. God, thank you for allowing me the privilege of living in this community!Join me in taking the Thanksgiving Challenge (see Nov. 26 blog). Share one you are thankful for each day between now and

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-81473152208537691052010-12-01T08:12:00.003-06:002010-12-01T08:22:59.629-06:00

Last night's dinner was the ultimate comfort food, meatloaf...topped off with a slice of apple pie for dessert. It made me well aware of the blessing of having more than enough food to eat in a world where millions go hungry each day. "God, thank you for providing me with the food I need be filled and healthy and for the hands that prepare that food (thank you Natalie)!"Take the Thanksgiving

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-10820911241800699422010-11-30T17:08:00.002-06:002010-11-30T17:15:55.489-06:00

Sitting here at the end of a busy day of meetings, conversations, and ministry at COS, I am amazed at the gifted and committed people that I have the privilege of working with! I am so thankful for all the staff members (paid and unpaid) that I partner in ministry with at COS. They are a real blessing to me."God, thank you for all my partners in ministry here at COS!"Join me in taking the

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-29350120104570886452010-11-30T07:23:00.002-06:002010-12-01T08:24:46.874-06:00

For me there is a wrong and a right way to roast a marshmallow over an open fire. The wrong way is pretty much how I did it as a kid; just pop that marshmallow on the roasting stick and stick it in the flame. Poof…in a few seconds the marshmallow is now an inferno itself and soon turns black. Then all you have to do is blow out the small fire now blazing away on your roasting stick, wait a

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-89105717872952597652010-11-29T14:54:00.004-06:002010-11-29T15:00:40.904-06:00

As I sit here listening to the rain on the roof I am thankful for the house I have to live in. I realize that for hundreds of people here in the St. Louis area, and millions of people around the world, having four walls and a roof to call home is not a reality. "God, thank you for providing shelter for me and my family...for the house we call home!" Join me in taking the Thanksgiving challenge (

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-48404663434413583172010-11-28T08:15:00.003-06:002010-11-28T08:23:16.880-06:00

Day 3: I am thankful for prayer. It's an amazing thing really, to know that I can communicate directly with a holy God who I have a personal relationship with. I can talk to God and, if I take the time to listen, I can and will hear from God. "God, thank you so much for prayer!"Join me in taking the Thanksgiving challenge (see my blog from Nov. 26). Let me know what you are thankful for

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-21372740938235376612010-11-27T16:27:00.005-06:002010-11-27T16:37:15.703-06:00

Take the Thanksgiving challenge with me (see yesterday's blog). For the next 29 days (through Christmas), stop one time during the day and tell God one thing you are thankful for. Thank God for something God has, is, or will do in your life and/or our world. All it takes is finishing this statement, "God, thank you for ______________."Today I am thankful for the sunshine. What a difference

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-37764598984722119132010-11-26T09:14:00.007-06:002010-11-26T09:52:36.135-06:00

I may love Christmas music (see last blog), but Christmas does come way too early...Christmas retail displays go up in October, Christmas holiday sales start in November, and yes Christmas music started...well a couple of weeks ago. Christmas literally runs right over Thanksgiving and lots of people complain about how sad that is. "At least wait until after Thanksgiving" is the mantra. It's

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-68692432122308280522010-11-19T16:20:00.005-06:002010-11-20T10:30:54.368-06:00

So last weekend I'm sitting in the waiting room at the garage while the oil is getting changed in my car...reading a magazine...minding my own business. All of a sudden I realize that the music/words of "Jingle Bells" are coming through the speakers in the ceiling. It's November 12, almost two weeks until Thanksgiving; could it really be Christmas music? About that time the garage manager came

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-49624523754251585092010-11-16T07:12:00.007-06:002010-11-17T10:19:19.034-06:00

As I look outside my the window there is a tug of sadness in my heart. The deck is barren and bare. The spot that was once filled with this summer's tomato plants is now empty. The large plants (some over 6 feet high) were frozen in the early morning chill of a recent November morning. So a few days ago I tore the brown plants out of the pots and threw them out. I pulled the tomato cages and

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-1789328604826125492010-11-12T13:58:00.004-06:002010-11-12T14:31:05.620-06:00

The other day my wife and I were out taking a walk when she pointed out a gorgeous tree with its bright red autumn leaves up ahead. It really was beautiful sight! At the bottom it was a very dark red...almost black, then purple, then bright red, then light red, and then there was still a hint of green in the leaves at the top. We oohhed and ahhhed as we walked by and then turned around to

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-72819917365080032992010-11-10T06:32:00.003-06:002010-11-10T06:53:40.711-06:00

Wow! Just a few minutes before I began writing this blog I woke up to the most beautiful sunrise I have seen in quite some time! If you live here in the St. Louis area, perhaps you saw it too. The sky was a brilliant hue of reddish orange, as the thin high clouds that were banked all across the eastern sky were capturing the sun's first rays of light for this day! It was all I could do just

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-14925541513366139032010-11-06T12:42:00.003-05:002010-11-06T13:28:24.681-05:00

Sometime this week I was watching TV and saw a real commercial. No really I think it was on Wednesday or Thursday and it was a real commercial. Praise God from whom all blessings flow, the elections are over and so are the political ads. Can I get an amen! Anyway, the commercial started out with this young boy talking about how embarrassing it is that his parents still drive the family around

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-75075101327695425042010-11-02T17:35:00.012-05:002010-11-02T19:40:08.844-05:00

A few weeks ago I was reading about Bill Cosby making an appearance at the Fox Theatre here in St. Louis. It took me back to the vintage Cosby stuff my brothers and I used to love to listen to when we were growing up. And yes they were recorded on those really big CD's...called record albums...HA! Bill Cosby is a master story teller. His stories then were mostly about his growing up as a

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-37305225991338434932010-10-30T20:04:00.005-05:002010-10-30T20:45:36.868-05:00

I remember one day when I was maybe four years old, our family had gathered with others at my grandparent’s house for fun summer weekend. No doubt at the suggestion of all the moms, the dads decided to get the kids out of the house by taking us fishing on a local farm pond. Fun, huh? I remember that morning sitting on the pond bank beside my Uncle Joe, talking/having a good time. At some

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-74631639451904321902010-10-23T12:26:00.006-05:002010-10-23T13:16:07.792-05:00

Have you ever been engaged in a conversation with someone and then have another person walk up and break into the conversation? The topic abruptly changes and pretty soon the person you were talking with is focused exclusively on the person who broke into the conversation leaving you out of the loop. You get the feeling that it wouldn't matter whether you were standing there or not...it's as if

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-18165257859188792872010-10-20T06:17:00.002-05:002010-10-20T07:23:08.595-05:00

"There is one thing you are never going to see; a funeral possession lead by a hearse pulling a a U-haul trailer." I remember reading that statement in a book several years ago and a light bulb turning on in my head. I realized that it really was true with most of the stuff I was working for and/or stressing over in life; "you can't take it with you."Relationships, on the other hand, are

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-42505345003745673052010-10-16T11:22:00.009-05:002010-10-16T21:09:31.539-05:00

This week's pictures and live video of each Chilean miner finally being rescued were stunning and exciting! Trapped almost a half a mile below the surface of the earth for weeks after being feared dead in the mine collapse, it's no wonder that as each miner stepped out of that tiny rescue capsule and set foot into the open air they, their family and friends, and people around the world were

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-37688010803464605422010-10-13T06:47:00.005-05:002010-10-13T09:29:19.010-05:00

It happened about 17 years ago. My young family and I had moved away from our home base of Missouri for the first time so that I could pursue my career in the food industry. Here we were in northeast Indiana in the middle of our first winter; the days were short and the nights were long and very cold. The people were friendly, but we had not really had time to settle into any real friendships.

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-90163611019694849702010-10-08T11:49:00.003-05:002010-10-08T12:34:25.786-05:00

The other day I was reading the story of how Jesus healed two blind men as he and his disciples were on their way out Jericho and headed for Jerusalem (Matthew 20:29-34). They are leaving town when these two blind men sitting on the side of the road (probably begging)are told that Jesus is passing by. They begin shouting out to get Jesus' attention. The crowd tells them to be quite.

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-70589036673317610112010-10-05T07:05:00.004-05:002010-10-05T08:00:51.808-05:00

It was a simple conversation...18 going on 19, I was in my first semester of college and working part-time on night shift at a local factory to pay for school. One night, actually very early in the morning, I sat down with a friend of mine, who also worked at the factory, on our lunch break. I don't have any memory about how the conversation got there, but I was sharing with my friend about

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-12767826500677987252010-10-02T11:27:00.002-05:002010-10-02T12:11:35.955-05:00

The other day I was browsing through a book of poetry...that's right, a book of poetry...I know you probably didn't have any idea I was such a Renaissance man...Ha! Anyway, I was browsing through this book of poetry and when I turned the page there it was; the shortest poem I had ever seen before. It had no title and just three short lines. "The seed is in the ground. Now may we rest in hope

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-30528507787165947792010-09-25T12:08:00.004-05:002010-09-25T12:52:08.864-05:00

There's been a big change at the Jungermann and Highway 94 intersection here in St. Charles, MO this week. This major intersection was closed on Monday, and will be for approximately two months, due to continued work on the new expressway. For those of us who live, work, and shop in the area it's been a little frustrating/challenging at times this week as we have encountered lots of orange

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-8921924389648204862010-09-22T08:05:00.003-05:002010-09-22T09:01:12.265-05:00

A few days ago a friend of mind posted a picture of a weeping Jesus statue near the site of the Oklahoma City bombing. It's an awesome image and thought (similar to this image I've included here; more on the monument).  It got me wondering about where the risen Jesus Christ really is these days and I was reminded of something Jesus once said, "And when two or three of you are together

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-55812360718878998422010-09-19T14:37:00.003-05:002010-09-19T15:23:57.370-05:00

Several years ago my family and I moved from the rolling hills of southwest Missouri to the flat lands of northeast Indiana where I started a new job in a Breyers ice cream plant (it doesn't get any better than that in the food industry...yummy!). A few weeks after our arrival we decided to take a Sunday drive and discover what this new place we now called home was like. What we found was mile

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-13999562349449380722010-09-14T20:36:00.002-05:002010-09-14T20:39:37.964-05:00

COS Lead Pastor Robyn Miller shared a cool story in this past weekend’s sermon of how the Missouri wine country literally saved the California wine industry. While Pastor Robyn was on a tour of a California vineyard a few years ago, the tour guide shared that back in the 1980’s a disease spread throughout the Napa Valley that threatened to destroy the grapevines. No one could figure out a way

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-39076112740468104192010-09-10T14:56:00.005-05:002010-09-10T16:39:33.937-05:00

I did a double-take and looked back at the small yard sign on the side of the road: 1-800-GOT-JUNK World's Largest Junk Removal ServiceYou've got to be kidding me right? Apparently not. When I got home I checked it out online; sure enough it's apparently legit. The company will come out, pick up your junk, and take care of it in as environmentally responsible a manner as possible...

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-59385944249097679102010-09-05T16:34:00.007-05:002010-09-05T17:21:32.195-05:00

We weren't the smartest boys in the world all the time. I remember one time growing up, my older brother and a couple of his friends decided to go explore a cave near where my uncle lived. They actually invited me to come along...amazing, considering that they were in high school and I was still in Jr. High...my lucky day! Off we went with little more than one flash light a piece...that's the "

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-23090108468832481062010-09-02T09:44:00.009-05:002010-09-02T10:38:54.503-05:00

Have you seen the TV reality show Undercover Boss? I've seen it a couple of times; it's pretty interesting. The idea is that the president or CEO of a large company goes undercover as a new employee in various parts of the company's organization to see what really goes on. At the end of the show the "boss" summons all the people he, or she, worked with to the corporate office for a little

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-53548547687216312332010-08-29T16:13:00.006-05:002010-08-29T17:00:45.562-05:00

When I was growing up I used to love to go to church camp in the summer time. It was a lot of fun to play sports, get out in the woods, go swimming, catch up with my camp friends, make new friends, sing around the campfire, learn from the Bible, eat lots of good food...it was just a great time that I looked forward to every year! Maybe you've had a similar church, sports, or scout camping

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-26667067691338175792010-08-27T14:20:00.007-05:002010-08-27T15:18:29.466-05:00

A couple of weeks ago when I arrived home a the end of the day my wife greeted me with a sad, anxiously look and said, "There's a hummingbird in the garage." "Okaaaay," I said. "No really," she quickly responded. "It came in when I opened the door about 11:00 this morning and it can't find it's way out. It just buzzes around the ceiling. I've tried everything I know, but it can't figure out

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-37478570609121493022010-08-15T15:19:00.004-05:002010-08-15T15:54:02.202-05:00

This morning I heard the classic Rich Mullins song "If I Stand" on the radio while driving to church and it reminded me of what this life is really all about. In the middle of all the lies our culture and society feed to us about who we are and what our purpose is to be, there is so much truth to the words of this song. The chorus goes like this:"So if I stand let me stand on the promise that

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-65201609127341518862010-08-07T12:23:00.004-05:002010-08-07T13:07:06.650-05:00

My wife and I recently took a trip to the Colorado Rockies. One day we were hiking on a mountain trail and we stopped to eat lunch in the middle of an aspen grove. Aspens are beautiful trees with long white trunks and small round leaves that shake in the breeze. Their leaves turn a blazing yellow in the fall and make for some gorgeous scenery against the backdrop of the mountain evergreens.

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-26498169961158006712010-08-02T15:29:00.001-05:002010-08-02T15:30:55.837-05:00

The highway billboard for a local insurance agent simply said, “Don’t worry. Be happily insured.” Now that is an incredible promise! I’m sure that if you contacted the agent she would be able to offer you a myriad of insurance policies; auto, homeowners, health, life, renters, motorcycle, boat, liability, accident, disability, vacation…just to name a few. The insurance business is more than

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-74884096021440351342010-07-30T21:46:00.008-05:002010-07-30T22:03:49.726-05:00

During the monsoon season in the mountains of Colorado (mid-July through August) you can pretty much count on it raining and/or storming everyday. It’s the same way in life. Challenges, stresses, disappointment, tough decisions, crisis, loss, uncertainty…life is filled storms. Jesus doesn’t promise an easy life. When he told a story about a foolish and a wise home builder, Jesus described the

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-83442556331042804442010-07-27T07:10:00.003-05:002010-07-27T07:52:52.246-05:00

They were just a couple of guys sitting in front of me; their easy conversation hinting that they were fairly well acquainted...friends. I wasn't paying any particular attention to them, but now and then heard bits and pieces of their dialogue; kids, places they had been recently, what the weather had been like, etc. Then at one point my mind was jerked back from it's wandering when I heard one

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-40147345214827115202010-07-24T07:57:00.002-05:002010-07-24T08:34:07.774-05:00

So last Sunday afternoon I decided to watch the Cardinals game on TV. Even though I had a dozen other things I needed to be doing, having lived in the St. Louis area for a little over a year now and being somewhat of a baseball fan, watching the game on a Sunday afternoon appears to take priority. Besides the team had been playing well the last few games, so it should be a good game. My wife

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-26064846463071196002010-07-22T06:41:00.002-05:002010-07-22T07:20:57.588-05:00

When do you feel really close to God? Is it watching a beautiful sunset, perhaps having something new jump out at/inspire you when reading a familiar passage in the Bible, or singing powerful praises to God with others in worship? Those are usually good God-moments for me too. But I have to admit that the closest I've felt to God lately wasn't any thing like that at all. It was a moment when I

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-70752305206597997382010-07-20T06:22:00.002-05:002010-07-20T07:03:54.892-05:00

Do me a favor...hold up four fingers about 18 inches in front of your face. I know sounds silly, but humor me for a moment. Hold up four fingers in front of your face. Now tell me, how many fingers do you see? No really, how many. If you said four, look again. This time look beyond/through your fingers to something else in front of you. Now how many fingers do you see...six, seven, eight?

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-58766800401087562332010-07-11T17:39:00.003-05:002010-07-11T18:30:11.008-05:00

When I was a kid we took a vacation to Florida one summer with my aunt, uncle, and my cousins. One day we went to a museum that was all about the sunken treasures discovered along the Florida coast. We heard stories of all the ship wrecks, all the reported treasure aboard, saw lots of old Spanish coins, gold, silver, and other valuable artifacts that had been recovered when some of those ship

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-41767287234059180742010-07-06T06:40:00.003-05:002010-07-07T19:07:56.673-05:00

When was the last time you laughed out loud and why did you do it? For me it was just the other day when my son and I were playing a game of ping pong. He let one of those ridiculously funny "one-liners" of his roll off his tongue and I had no choice but to laugh out loud. How about you?Sometimes we laugh out loud when people tell a funny story or joke, when we read a good cartoon strip, when

Pastor Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233346922548947367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522814795323059319.post-8716422229428261072010-07-04T05:21:00.004-05:002010-07-04T06:21:08.347-05:00

July 4th was always a special time for me growing up! Still is, but when I was a kid it could almost reach a "Christmas holiday" status. We used to always get together with my mom's side of the family by noon to eat, play with all my cousins, then eat again, and that evening shoot off fireworks...lots of fireworks. I had a cousin whose birthday was July 4th, so we always had a big cake with

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