Happy Fathers Day!

Four years ago, I went through THE BIGGEST trial of my life.  On Father’s Day weekend, 2004, Marilyn and I had a miscarriage with our first born son.  We named him Haven because in the midst of all that turmoil, questioning, and confusion, God was our haven of rest.  Some of you old timers might remember that hymn.  I preached the Father’s Day message that weekend, and God used that message in such a powerful way.  I preached on the passage where Job declared, “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.  Blessed be the name of the Lord!”.  It has to be one of the most powerful messages I’ve ever preached.

Less than nine months later, God blessed us with another son, Josiah Christopher.  Although he was born 10 weeks early, he is now a perfectly healthy 3 year old boy today.  No deficiencies.  No abnormalities.  PERFECTLY HEALTHY!

And now, this Father’s Day bore God’s fingerprint yet again as my baby girl Myah Grace was born into the family.  She came FULL TERM, and HEALTHY IN EVERY WAY!  To God be all the glory!  Happy Father’s Day.

Wanted: Gopher Wood

Our area has just been drenched with 7-11 inches of rain in the past three days!  I feel like Noah…minus all of the animals, the ark, world-ending judgement through flooding (you get the idea )  Because of all of the rain, the internet has been down in our area…it’s running off of satellite.  We’re so far out in the country that dial-up or satellite are the only options.  I had a brief connection yesterday and had an entire post ready to go until the rain picked up…now it seems to be lost!  I’ll see if I can find it.

In other news, Marilyn and I just got back from the doctor.  Our baby girl is doing just great.  Due date still is hanging around June 25-30.  God is TRULY AWESOME! 

We’re getting ready to go to my Father-in-law’s to celebrate his 45th b-day.  I’ll try to get on here tomorrow and leave something intellectually stimulating!

Some Things You May Not Know About Me…

  OK…for those of you who either A) don’t know me OR B)Know me but only on a superficial level, here are some facts about myself.  I’ll admit, at times I’m a little weird and even a little complex.  Let’s just be thankful that there’s only one Chris Stevens (umm actually there’s another in Martin County, but you get my drift!).

1.  I’m a big fan of spicy foods and I love mixing mashed potatoes and cottage cheese It’s an awesome hot/cold sensation!

2.  I’m a wanna-be outdoorsman.  The passion is there, but very little skill!

3.  On my 1st date with Marilyn, I took along a guy that was head-over-heels in love with her.  We were going to a high school basketball game and he “didn’t have a ride”.  I was too stupid to tell him “TOO BAD!!!“

4.  Sometimes I have an uncontrollable gag reflex when I change dirty diapers.  (I know ladies…I’m a big wimp!)

5.  I don’t read fictional books.  I can get through the movie faster and not feel that I wasted so much time.  But I love church strategy books!

6.  If not for Marilyn, I would hardly ever spend money even on new clothes for myself.  If not for her, I’d probably be the guy in a few years that the kids would all make fun of for being so out of style…my wife tries hard to make sure that never happens.  But I don’t mind spending good money on food!

7.  I’m actually a pretty introverted guy until its time to preach/teach.  I love just watching people because you can learn so much more by watching them than by listening to what they’re saying.  If I come across snobby or rude, I don’t mean to…I’m just taking in all of the info and processing it before I comment.

8.  I’m a very driven person when I know something could have eternal consequences.  This goes for my relationship with God, my family, and my church.

9.  I’m HORRIBLE at finding things.  So if you lose something PLEASE save us both some frustration and don’t ask me!

10.  When it’s my night to cook, I really begin to flex my culinary muscle…THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HAMBURGER HELPER!!

Passionate Friendship

Friendship is one of those topics that the church could really learn from non-Christians.  Watch any beer commercial, look through the contact list of a non-Christian’s cell phone, watch the comraderie that develops among some of the best sports teams on the planet, and you’ll discover they have an ingredient in their life that most “Christians” are lacking…PASSIONATE FRIENDSHIPS!

Have you ever noticed that pastors are the worst at getting invovled in lasting friendships?  This is something that I struggled with for years.  I was always playing the part of the “lone ranger”…always feeling that I couldn’t get too close to others…never willing to let others close enough to see I needed some comraderie. 

I have gained so much strength from my small group.  Honestly, I started leading this group to help young married couples.  While I think I did help a little, they’ve helped me more than they’ll ever know! 

If you’re reading this and you’re a Christ follower…You need fellowship outside of church.  You need people to do life with!

If you’re not a Christ follower…You need to get plugged in to the Body of Christ.  Don’t judge the whole body by those that claimed to be a part of it!  One of the greatest signs of a Christ follower is someone that’s humble enough to admit…”I NEED OTHERS!“  Your life will get better when you get PASSIONATE ABOUT FRIENDSHIP!