How Much For An Autograph?

Last night, mom and dad wanted to know if we would meet them in Shoals for the annual kickoff of the “WORLD FAMOUS” Catfish Festival.  At least the sign as you come into town claims it is world famous!  They always kick things off with an auction.  This year’s auction included some common yard sale items, a few nice gift certificates, and some autographed balls.

 

Dad used to own his own auction house when I was younger.  He had me working the concession stands (which is how I got to drinking coffee…just to stay warm in the winter months).  So anytime he hits the scene of another auction.  All it takes for him to get to raising that numbered card like a guy in a Sure Deodorant commercial is to win one bidding war. 

 

To make a long story short, we walked away with three of four autographed balls last night.

 

  MATT PAINTER–Purdue Men’s Basketball head coach.  I love the way this guy puts a team together!  Dad and I have been lifelong Purdue fans, so I was thrilled that he got this one :) 

 

  TOM CREAN–Coach for the Indiana University WHOsiers???  Just kidding.  But if you’re raised to be a Purdue fan, liking IU is like breaking the 11th Commandment.  This guy has got his work cut out for him thanks to Kelvin Sampson!

 

  DAMON BAILEY–This guy is a local legend.  He played HS ball at Bedford North Lawrence and went on to play guard for IU back in the ’90s.  He came out to the school I teach at for a basketball camp this year. 

 

  PEYTON MANNING–Now dad didn’t get this ball.  Not because he didn’t want it though.  It may have had something to do with the ball going for $500!!!!  Now, I’m a Colts fan.  But I can think of a lot of things to do with $500.  Buying a football I would never get to play with is probably not one of them.  But hey, if the man wins another Super Bowl, the price could very well double.  Maybe it wasn’t such a bad investment!

Sorry For The Blogging Vacation…

Ever since school let out, I’ve been staying pretty busy at home.  You might say that things have been changing for me and my family IN A BIG WAY!

 

On June 7th, at 1:51 pm est, Myah Grace Stevens was born weighing in at 8 lbs. 5 oz. and 21 inches long.  This full term little girl still had two weeks before her C-section was scheduled, but my wife prayed that God would let her deliver.  Her excuse was something only experienced mothers would understand…maternity misery!  Both of them are doing great…Thanks for all  of your prayers.

 

Josiah is doing really well with the new addition.  This only 3 year old “big brother” has been a big help since Myah showed up.  One day in the hospital, Myah started crying in her crib.  Josiah climbed up on his chair to peek over at her and said, “Awww Myah…what’s wrong?  You’re so beautiful.”  So now when Josiah is much older, he won’t be able to deny it.  All of cyber world now knows that you LOVE your little sis!

 

We also have a HUGE…and I mean HUGE announcement that we will be making very shortly.  Make sure you keep checking in to find out what we’re getting ready to do.  It’s definitly a God-thing!

 

Starting next week, I’ll get more regular with my blog entries.  Thanks for your patience and continue to pray for Marilyn and I as we help Myah adjust to getting her days and nights straightened out.  Until then, if you say something and it takes a few moments for it to register in my mind, or if my eyes are bloodshot and bags are hanging below them, you’ll understand that these are all common features of a man with a three year old and a newborn.

 

Have a great weekend, and I pray your services this weekend will knock the ball out of the park!

 

PS…I’ll try to get a pic on here of the new Stevens addition next week sometime!

Purpose Driven Summit ‘08

 

I have really been soaking up what some of my favorite pastors and authors have been saying about the topics discussed at the Purpose Driven Summit ‘08 held at Saddleback Church in California.  I’ve been doing some HEAVY praying and scripture reading lately, trying to seek God about some things I see coming down the pike.  Even pastors need someone to speak into their life.  Over the next few days, I’m going to share with you the notes I have gathered from those that attended this conference.  I know they’ll encourage and help you just as much as they have me. 

 

If you want to check out the list of speakers, just CLICK HERE….Enjoy!

Catching Up On My Blog Reading

To everyone who has been reading my blog, I’m sorry for a few down days.  I took a day off just to spend with my family yesterday.  The R&R were much needed.  There are a few blogs I follow on a daily basis.  I found some pretty awesome articles today that I thought I’d share with you. 

•   While Church should never be reduced to simple marketing, there are several things we can learn from top secular companies.  They are in touch with the latest ways to reach people and have a great understanding of how to get their attention…something churches could do much better at.  TONY MORGAN posted a list of these top companies.  He also has a cool quote from Nintendo’s VP HERE.

 

 

• Gary Lamb posted his PREACHING CALENDAR for the next six months.  He pastors a church with an edge, Revolution in Georgia.

 

•   Steven Furtick allowed his Assimilation Pastor, Larry Brey, to write up a great article about the relationship between Senior Pastor and church volunteers/staff on his blog.  Elevation Church is WELL KNOWN for greeting people like they have never been greeted before.

 

•   Craig Groeschel wrote up a great blog entry about strategic disruption.  If any part of your life has gotten into a rut, especially your spiritual life, then you need to take five minutes to read this.  It is such a great insight…and it will help shake things up a bit in a good way!

There have been a lot of others, but this should give you a good start and introduce you to some men that are doing some awesome things for the Kingdom.  I hope your week is going well.  It won’t be long before the kids will be running through their parents’ house all day…HAVE FUN PARENTS!

7 Days and Counting…

  School only has 7 more days to go.  The kids are feeling it, thus I AM FEELING IT.  Pray for me.

Spiritual Glasses

Vision is so important, even for those who are not involved in leadership.  Whether or not you know it, you have dreamt of the vision of your life before.  Without a vision, the Bible says you will perish.  God has been speaking to me about vision in a particular area of my life.  It gets me so pumped up when I begin  to hear what plans God has for me.  His plans are ALWAYS much greater than anything I can plan for myself.  The same is true for you too!

 

Now, I understand that life and other people who don’t believe in your vision have a way of kicking the vision right out of you.  Maybe, because of your circumstances, some of your dreams may be out of reach.  But here’s the thing you need to remember.  GOD HAS PLANS FOR YOU!  Plans to prosper you, to give you a hope, AND A FUTURE!  The best really is right ahead. 

 

The enemy would LOVE for you to give up, quit fighting, accept the status quo.  But God has made to for the battle.  He’s got your head covered with the helmet of salvation.  He’s given you the breastplate fo righteousness…you didn’t earn it, it was a gift!  He’s equipped you with the belt of truth.  He’s got your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.  He’s given you the sword of the spirit and the shield of faith (WHEREWITH YOU SHALL QUINCH ALL THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED ONE!).  YOU WERE MADE FOR THE BATTLE!!!!

 

Every man or woman needs to know what they’re fighting for.  If you don’t have a vision today, begin to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you.  Your life is STILL worth something…and the value of it is more than you have ever dreamed.

Casting Crowns Concert

           

This was probably THE BEST CONCERT we’ve ever been to!  Crowns brought it on every song.  This group had the best lighting, video, and sound.  But the thing that amazed me the most, and something all of you aspiring worship leaders should take note of, was that every person in the band was so humble.  It was as if they were amazed that anyone would show up to hear them sing.  It was truly a night of worship to our King!

 

The opening acts were also off the chain.  When I get an IPOD (no, I don’t have one YET) John Waller is DEFINITELY getting on there!  Marilyn and I got our pic taken with a couple of singers from Crown.  I’ll post the pic as soon as I get it off of my sis-in-law’s camera. 

Prayers Are Being Answered

Thanks to all of you that have been praying for the things I posted the other day.  Our friends Ashley and Justin are still pregnant.  That bun has a few more weeks to bake in the oven!  Also, my sister was having some tests done for a disease she came into contact with from a student that has the potential to be fatal for babies in their 1st trimester.  The results came back and she’s immune to the disease!

 

National Day of Prayer was awesome yesterday.  I was so honored to even be asked to represent in our county’s time of prayer.  It truly was a humbling experience.  I believe God heard our prayers as we joined our voices with millions of others across the nation.  I can’t wait to see how God shows up and answers each one!

 

Revival starts this Sunday with Evangelist Dale Begley preaching Sun. AM & PM, and Mon.-Fri.  You can check out all the times and directions on Powell Valley’s website.  Keep praying prayer warriors.  If you have a prayer request that you would like for me to come into agreement with you on, just shoot me an email at stevensc@shoals.k12.in.us , and I would be honored to go to the Lord on your behalf.

 

Tonight, we’re going to the Dogwood Festival at Orleans and tomorrow is the Casting Crowns Concert…Can’t wait!

Screaming, Kicking, Spitting

  (This is not my son’s pic, by the way.)  It was bound to happen, Josiah got his first BIG spanking.  It all started at Wal-Mart.  Isn’t it strange that the tantrum never occurs in the quiet confines of home?  We had just finished shopping and I was pushing the cart of groceries out to the car.  Marilyn was holding Josiah’s hand and decided to go get a pop out of the machine.  I got the car loaded and was just getting ready to go pick them up at the door when I saw them coming…Josiah was throwing a HUGE FIT.  Screaming, kicking, and spitting…even slapping at his mom!

 

I jumped out of the car put him in the carseat, where he continuted to throw his fit.  I warned him that he was going to get punished as soon as we got home.  There’s something about knowing that punishment is coming to help drive home a point.  As soon as we pulled into the driveway, I told Josiah it was time.  He began to cry as he realized judgement day had come. 

 

The thing was, I hated to have to punish him.  But I knew that if I did not teach him to treat his mom with love and respect, that he could grow up to be a real problem and even put himself in some real danger one day.  It made me realize that God’s heart hurt the same way when he punished his Son in place of us.  He knew that it was going to hurt.  But the end result was worth the moment of punishment. 

 

God cared that much about us.  He didn’t leave us screaming, kicking, and spitting so that we never really mature.  He sent His Holy Spirit to lovingly, but sternly correct us so that we will grow up into people that reflect the character of His son.  Are you letting him shape you today?

Prayer Request

  Please be praying for some things for me this week:

1. Our friends Justin and Ashley are having some complications with their pregnancy.  Their baby’s name is Danielle and she’s due about the same time as our baby.
2. My sister is awaiting some test results that we’re praying come back negative.
3. Pray that Marilyn’s pregnancy goes full term and that her and our baby girl are both healthy.
4. The church needs to be unified under leaders who understand their position on the team and who are willing to serve TOGETHER.
5. Pray for the upcoming Revival services next week and that REVIVAL does not end up just being a name for these services, but an actual movement of the Holy Spirit on Powell Valley.
6. Pray for the success of other area churches in reaching the lost in our community.
7. Pray for the upcoming elections.