Pastors' Blog
Thoughts, additional sermon material, and interesting facts from the desks of Pastor Steve Sohns and Pastor Ric McMillian.
Hurricane Ike - a little laugh on us
Posted: October 8, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: funny, Hurricane Ike
YOU KNOW YOU ARE FROM THE GULF COAST WHEN…
1. You have FEMA’s number on your speed dialer.
2. You have more than 300 ‘C’ and ‘D’ batteries in your kitchen drawer.
3. Your pantry contains more than 20 cans of Spaghetti O’s.
4. You are thinking of repainting your house to match the plywood covering
your windows.
5. When describing your gutted house to a prospective buyer, you say it
has three bedrooms, two baths and an open air feel to it.
6. Your SSN isn’t a secret, it’s written in Sharpie on your arms.
7. You are on a first-name basis with the cashier at Home Depot.
8. You are delighted to pay $3.50 for a gallon of regular unleaded.
9. The road leading to your house has been declared a No-Wake Zone.
10. You decide that your patio furniture looks better on the bottom of the pool.
12. You can wish that other people get hit by a hurricane and not feel the
least bit guilty about it.
14. You have 2-liter coke bottles and milk jugs filled with water in your freezer.*
15. Three months ago you couldn’t hang a shower curtain; today you can
assemble a portable generator by candlelight.
16. You catch a 13-pound red fish - in your house.
17. You can recite from memory whole portions of your homeowner’s insurance policy.
19. At cocktail parties, women are attracted to the guy with the biggest chainsaw.
20. You have had tuna fish more than 5 days in a row.
22. You can rattle off the names of three or more meteorologists who work
at the Weather Channel.
24. Ice is a valid topic of conversation.
25. Your drive-thru meal consists of MRE’s and bottled water.
26. Relocating to South Dakota does not seem like such a crazy idea.
27. You spend more time on your roof than in your living room.
28. You’ve been laughed at over the phone by a roofer, fence builder or a
tree worker.
29. A battery powered TV is considered a home entertainment center.
30. You don’t worry about relatives wanting to visit during the summer.
32. Having a tree in your living room does not necessarily mean it’s Christmas.
34. You know the difference between the good side of a storm and the bad side.
35. Your kids start school in August and finish in July.
36. You go to work early and stay late just to enjoy the air conditioning.
37. Your garage smells like gasoline.
38. Your more concerned about someone stealing your generator then your car.
39. You get excited when you see a power company truck in your neighborhood.
40. You get really excited when you see the cable guy.
AND FINALLY: Someone comes to your door to tell you they found your roof.
In Recovery from Ike
Posted: October 8, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: Hurricane Ike, recovery
Hurricane Ike. Those of us on the Gulf Coast will never forget these weeks. The stages of Ike included:
1. Ike will hit Mexico….we will get rain
2. Ike will hit Corpus Christi..we will get rain and some wind
3. Ike is coming closer….we may get a lot of rain and much wind
4. Ike will turn toward New Orleans and we’ll miss the rain and wind
5. Ike is coming here…I sure wish I had thought about plywood, generators and food
6. Ike is in Galveston…look at the waves
7. no power….we don’t know what anything looks like
8. Still now power and our battery operated radio tells us to call in to special numbers (our phones don’t work) or check the internet (did you know we have no power and no internet?)
9. Wondering which will start first…school or electricity
10. Realizing that all the generators are becoming the white noise by which we fall asleep
11. Thank the Lord for the cool weather.
12. I will not be angry that you have power and I don’t
13. Great to see all of these trucks from all over the country in Houston…but why can’t someone come to my neighborhood.
14. I’m wondering what my neighbor’s homes looked like before the stacks of trees, limbs, and fences began to block the view.
15. Power….it really is great
16. I can’t remember cooking on the grill anymore
17. Why did they take all my branches and piles of junk and leave the bags behind?
18. Why are there so many brown limbs hanging down from the trees?
19. My neighborhood sure looks like it’s back to normal.
20. Did we get hit by a hurricane?
Many haven’t gone through this many steps….some have significant work to be done on their homes. We continue to pray for God’s blessings on the recovery period here and and in the harder hit areas.
Fireproof
Posted: September 26, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 2 Comments
Tags: Fireproof Movie
I received this today about the movie Fireproof
The information below concerns a new movie that is being released this Friday.
The movie is the project of the same movie production team that brought us
“Flywheel” and “Facing the Giants.” From all pre-release information it
promises to be a great movie with a great message! Can anyone say “movie
date?” Not to mention the fact that it will show in a theatre with
electricity, air conditioning, popcorn and coke! It only gets better…
Here’s a review:
A heroic fireman locked in a failing marriage accepts his father’s challenge to
take part in a 40-day experiment designed to teach both husband and wife the
true meaning of commitment in this faith-based marriage drama starring Kirk
Cameron and Erin Bethea. When he’s battling blazes, Capt. Caleb Holt (Cameron)
adheres to the old firefighter’s adage about never leaving your partner behind;
back at home, it’s an altogether different story. Caleb and his wife Catherine
(Bethea) have been married for seven years, but lately arguments over career,
housework, finances, and outside interests have driven the once-happy couple
hopelessly apart. Just as Caleb and Catherine prepare to officially dissolve
their marriage, Caleb’s father John (Harris Malcolm) presents his son with a
most unusual challenge: commit to a 40-day experiment called “The Love Dare,”
and take one last shot at saving his marriage. While at first Caleb agrees to
take a chance on “The Love Dare,” the discovery that it’s closely tied in with
his parent’s newfound faith causes him to momentarily reconsider. Still, Caleb
carries on with the experiment despite being constantly rejected by his
skeptical, embittered wife. When Caleb asks his father how he can be expected
to love someone who refuses to give him a fair chance, John tells his son that
this is precisely the same love that God shows for humankind. Now, with a
little help from above, the man who makes headlines for saving lives will fight
to be a hero to the one person who matters most — his wife. ~ Jason Buchanan,
All Movie Guide
This movie will begin showing this coming Friday at these local theatres and
times below: (there may be other theatres as well!)
Cinemark Tinseltown 17 Opening on September 26th…..Friday 12:30 pm/3:50
pm/7:10 pm/10:10 pm
1600 Lake Robbins, The Woodlands, TX 77380
· Select a showtime
AMC Willowbrook 24 Opening on September 26th…..Friday 10:15 am/1:15
pm/4:15 pm/7:15 pm/10:15 pm
17145 Tomball Parkway, Houston, TX 77064
·
AMC Deerbrook Mall 24 Opening on September 26th…..Friday 10:15 am/1:15
pm/4:15 pm/7:15 pm/10:15 pm
20131 Highway 59 North, Humble, TX 77338
Ike Update
Posted: September 18, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Starting in the middle. Most people who live in this area can’t read this post and won’t see this post until later. Every family has there own story. The pre-hurricane story….the story of what happened while the storm moved through….the electricity goes out…. Since the storm, it’s a matter of assessing the damage, cutting up the trees, cleaning the lawns, fixing the fences, tarps on the roofs, contacts with insurance adjusters. Much of it is wait and see.
In the midst of all of this….we had an opportunity to try and help people in our community. Representative Debbie Riddle set up some semi trucks to come in with water and ice. Resurrection members, along with community volunteers, put out water and ice from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The hugs, kisses, and smiles said a lot about what these folks needed. Along with these very simple items, we prayed that God would use this very simple conduit of human care to be something to help people see a gracious and loving God working through His people.
Salvation in the Storm
Posted: September 11, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: 9/11, Hurricane Ike
Here we are at 9/11. Seven years from one of the most critical events of recent history. In Texas today, we aren’t marking that seven year anniversary because of something more imminent; IKE. Part of living in a fallen world is the fact that we will have wars, rumors of wars, natural disasters, and personal disasters. Jesus promised this to be the case and that these facts would point us toward the day that He would return.
Meanwhile, how do we handle the storms of terrorism past and the storm of hurricanes present. The psalmist says in Psalm 62. “My soul waits calmly for God alone. My salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my savior - my stronhold. I cannot be severely shaken.”
As we await the the uncertainty of Ike to come through our area, we are reminded that God is our fortress and strength. I don’t know what this storm will do…but I do know that God is my rock and salvation and that Christ secured you and me in the Cross.
September so soon?
Posted: September 5, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: September
Here are we at the beginning of September. School has started, buses are on the streets, traffic takes longer, political conventions are over, elections are around the corner, tropical depressions, hurricanes in the Gulf, and the Houston heat should break within the month. Meanwhile, my only question is “how did we get to September so fast?” Last I remember, we were preparing for a great vacation, finishing up the last school issues, waiting for the olympics and anticipating the three summer mission teams trips to Mexico and Belize. Now the summer is gone. Time is so precious.
One of the most beautiful descriptions about time is found in Ecclesiastes.
Ecc 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
Ecc 3:2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
Ecc 3:3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
Ecc 3:4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
Ecc 3:5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
Ecc 3:6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
Ecc 3:7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
Ecc 3:8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecc 3:9 What does the worker gain from his toil?
Ecc 3:10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
Ecc 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
As you push into September, what are your thoughts one time?
lesson from the olympics
Posted: August 25, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: hand-offs, olympics, USA
I’ve talked about this, but how important it is to have a good hand-off in the relay races. In the races that the USA had good handoffs, they won. In the track races that the hand-offs were botched…we never made it past the qualifying round.
That’s the question for you. Are you living your own life and your own race as a singular activity or are you living it as one who is handing off to someone else? The hand-off is crucial! Whether it is a child, a friend, or a co-worker. The faith is handled at the hand-off. Your race cannot be focused only on yourself, but is always in consideration to those around you and the constant hand-offs that are going on as you connect with God, connect with others, and connect the Gospel with those who don’t know Christ.
Are you practicing your hand-offs?
Belize VII-team relationships
Posted: August 16, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: Belize, mission trip
The mission work is a wonderful blessing. Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and serving the local community. One of the blessing of missions is our relationships built within the team.
Our young people are a great addition to our teams
Here we were arriving into Belize
Relaxing on the roof at the end of the day is just one of the many ways we enjoy talking to one another and getting to know one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Belize VI - Relationships
Posted: August 16, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: Belize, mission trip
You’re probably wondering where we have been with the blogs. Between busy times and internet service going down…too hard to post. But, I’ll try and catch you up. A big part of what we are doing is about relationships. The kids we met were a hard bunch. Poverty, lack of discipline, and a lack of family support meant difficult times. Part of what we were trying to do was to establish relationships that matter. Three brothers we spent time with were Jarvis, Jason and Javon(twins). Jarvis had a different father than the other two, one father had died and one was in prison. Three rough and tumble boys who showed up to be with us at VBS. They were considered the neighborhood outcasts and the bullies as well. They showed up at VBS looking to disrupt and put pressure on the other kids. I appreciate our team because we had the right mix of people to work with the kids indoors and to work with these older kids as well. Over the day, we saw a change in the boys. In fact, these three were with us to the very end of the day and they liked hanging out with the men on our team.
This is Jarvis…he went from trouble maker to a leader of songs and helping me over the two days. He even helped me cleanup all the cups and junk the kids through down on the ground. I gave him the hat…not because he picked up stuff…but because he is my friend in Jesus.
We give the older children evangecubes. If they can tell the Gospel using the cube…I give them one. Only stipulations….they can tell the story and they will tell the story to some others. One boy came back the next day and told me that he told 5 people the Gospel by using the evangecube.
Lisa with one of our many wonderful girls
Belize V
Posted: August 13, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: Belize, mission trip
The women and girls of our team did a great job of connecting with the women of the community. The people were already impressed with how they worked with the children (no easy task) and they also invited the women to come back on Monday and Tuesday afternoon to sew and decorate sandals. The women of the community enjoyed our ladies and also enjoyed the time together with their neighbors. We took prayer requests that included jobs, finances and family.
These pictures are from Monday and I’ll add more pic’s later on Tuesday’s gathering.
Belize IV
Posted: August 13, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: Belize, mission trip
It is a beautiful Wednesday morning in Belize. The cement job was finished yesterday. A hard job anyway, but even more challenging in the heat. Our men paired with some men from the church finished up the job and the church will continue the work beyond the initial slab in the year to come. Today, we will begin to paint some rooms in town.
Belize III
Posted: August 11, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: Belize, mission trip
VBS anyone? Hey, it’s a small community. We’ll only be dealing with 25 kids. So where did these 60 kids come from? Do we have enough stuff? No! Are we ready for kids who speak creole? No! Do they look like they want to be here? No! But, God does some great things.
Doesn’t that face say it all?
Belize II
Posted: August 11, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: Belize, mission trip
It is construction work. It is trying to create a cement floor with a lack of tools and equipment that all are used to having around. Levels…no way. Ready made cement….no, make your own. It’s hot, and it’s out doors. Have fun guys…
Watch for the completed work tomorrow
Belize I
Posted: August 10, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: Belize, mission trip
The team to Belize is having a great time and enjoying the work that God is providing. The work has begun of sharing skits, stories, songs, and preaching. Tomorrow is construction and VBS and later the week is more construction, painting and VBS.
What opportunities we have here in Belize. It will be great to explore our future and how we can partner with our sister churches and even our colleges. Here’s a few photos.
Edouard Devastation
Posted: August 8, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: devistation, Eduard, hurricane
Good morning,
I’m sure most of you are like me, trying to clean up after the devastating hurricane that raced through Houston. Oh, you missed it too? It’s amazing how everything is hyped up over the hurricane that didn’t quite become one, or quite come through the area. In fact, my favorite picture from the whole storm is found at this link (#6) http://www.click2houston.com/slideshow/17090041/detail.html?taf=hou Try copying and pasting in this link and check out the caption “Devastation in the Woodlands.”
Human beings are amazing. We are fascinated by impending disasters and yet we also treat disasters as something that will never happen to us. If you talk to folks who were down in Galveston, you find that people were out on Monday mowing their grass and sitting out on their porches. The news channels had us thinking disaster and people were preparing for their week as if nothing was out in the Gulf.
We’re all that way. We either panic, get fascinated by the possible problem, or ignore it all together. Few of us take the road of peaceful preparation for life’s challenges. We ignore the problems or we are shocked when they show up.
Jesus talks about that the world will be filled with natural disasters, wars, and rumors of wars, but He also points the disciples (and us) to use it as a time of preparation. Focus ourselves on the things eternal as we experience the things that are temporary. As we move into another school year and into another chapter of life, will we continue to get lost in the items of the day or can we begin to use today to focus on the eternal?
Missions continue onward
Posted: July 14, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: Mazatlan, missions
We are committed to missions locally and globally. This includes our work in cross-cultural work at home and in other parts of the world. It includes our work of Vacation Bible School and Summer Camps as well as sending three teams into international settings this summer.
Team one came back and had a hard, but marvelous week in Mazatlan. This link should bring you to Jeff’s pictures.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Jeff.Ruhnow/Mazatlan2008?authkey=kB2aC6kbrhw
Don’t you love to wait?
Posted: July 11, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: patience, priorities, waiting
So, it’s Friday and it’s my one day to have off. What’s my favorite thing to do? If you’re like me, it’s not waiting for a wheel alignment. But, its’ the job for the day. I’m here because I have a lifetime alignment, they have wifi(very important) and there is no other day to do it. But, I find I’m impatient because I just don’t like the idea of waiting around and I also have to anticipate whether or not something else will be wrong with the vehicle. It’s 7 years old and you never know what to expect.
Much of life is wrapped around waiting. We wait at the doctor’s office, we wait in the drive through at the Bank, we wait in line at the grocery store. We know a lot about a person’s personality about how they handle waiting. Some people just choose a line and wait. Some of us have a plan before we walk in the door for how we will escape the store. We have scouted the self-serve lines, the express lines and the “regular” lines. We have a plan for getting in and getting out as quickly as we can. (obviously I’m one of those) I even choose my stores according to the aspect that they have the self-check out line so that I can get in and out without wasting time.
For me, I have to make a shift when it comes to other parts of my life. I have to make time for prayer. I have to make time for the reading of the Bible. When the Lord says, “wait on the Lord.” I have to recognize the importance of waiting and stopping my life for a few moments. Life can’t always be about planning for the next thing. There is a part of life that is made for “accomplishing things” and a part of life that is about “waiting” and “resting” and “listening”.
Sunday morning is about that too. Our gathering for worship is an important time in which God teaches us to wait on Him. We wait on Him as we participate in hearing His Word, as we receive the Lord Himself in Holy Communion, and as we live in the reality of being Baptized in His Name. When we say on Sunday, “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Prepare to wait….
Never say Never
Posted: July 7, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: never say never, pets
There are a few things that I have said that I will never do or have. I have said “no pets at this point in life” and “no golf now or when I retire.” No pets because we are at a point in life where it is nice to simplify. The boys are on their way out to school and life and we want daily freedom and freedom to travel when possible…without hindrances or distractions. No golf because I’m no good and I’m not wired to play the game.
Our lives changed a few weeks ago on pets…..This cute little dog ran in our house as I answered the door. Despite my attempts to get the dog to leave and go find it’s owner, my middle son found a way to get the dog in the yard so that we might take care of her basic needs while searching for the rightful owner. Unfortunately, the sign in our yard, signs in our neighborhood, and the posting of a picture at the vet office did not bring us any closer to finding the owner. We simply took tearful calls from distraught pet owners who lost their best little friends.
We weren’t sure what to make of her anyway. On one hand, she was well behaved and housebroken, but on the other hand she was hungry, dirty, and had fleas(despite the flea collar). She appeared to be more abandoned this lost. But, I held out hope that the owners would appear. We even had a potential reference from one of our members who heard about this dog on a Sunday. But alas, no owners. We even had an offer from one lady to take the dog of our hands if we didn’t find her owner…but this little dog (we call her lady) had moved her way into the hearts of our family and when the time came…we couldn’t give her up.
So, now we own dog food, a dog crate, dog toys, dog shampoo, and a set of vet bills that relate to her basic dog needs. She will go back for an appointment to make sure we don’t end up with more of her around the house. This 6-8 month old is now ours….or we’re hers. She has shot out the front door to chase off cats, dogs and birds…but she always proudly comes back to prove that she is protecting us from the scary outside world. she is our companion at outdoor breakfast in the morning and she patrols the backyard fences at night. We’re stuck. Needless to say, I’ll be very careful about my comments about golf. Below…a few pictures.(she’s the tan one in the picture)
South Africa, Part XI
Posted: June 16, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: South Africa, vacation
In the previous posts, I’ve tried to let you know about the sights of Africa that we have enjoyed. I want to mention that this country is a mix of paradoxical circumstances. Immense beauty on one hand and intense hardship on the other. Where Christianity is lived out there is life and hope. Where there is no faith, you find fear, death, and darkness.
There are significant issues going on in all of Africa and South Africa is not immune to them. Rampant AIDS that has the potential of killing off huge numbers of people. Much of this is the because of the spread of this disease through people sleeping with multiple wives, girlfriends and “affairs” beyond the first two groups. One African man can spread the disease to hundreds of people through his lifestyle. Those who are trying to help find the government to be no help and sometimes working against the education of the people.
The other more recent problem is Xenophobia. Even though they have many impoverished people, South AFrica is a shining light on southern part of the continent. Many families are “illegal immigrants” from the northern countries of Angola, Mamibia, Mozambique, Zimbawbwe, etc. The poor people of the country have been striking back against these foreigners and even killing them in the streets. It is causing unrest in South Africa and retaliation in the other countries as well.
Truly, the Gospel is the only hope for this country. The following pictures show a little of the country. The round houses (Rondavels) are Zulu homes. The compounds are made up of one Rondavel for each wife…the more of them…the richer the man who built them.
South Africa, Part X
Posted: June 11, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: South Africa, vacation
The afternoon of our anniversary was spent going out to find more game. We had felt pretty good about everything we saw in the morning and anxious to see some more that afternoon. The very best thing was running across the white Rhino. The white Rhino was nearly extinct and down to about 20, but this park brought them in and began to protect the animals. Today, the park has 2000 white rhinos and they have distributed another 3600 to other places in Africa.
As this group came up, they played on the road behind us and beside us. It was really great.
We also saw more Giraffe, which was another of our favorite creatures to see in the wild.
South Africa, Part IX
Posted: June 9, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: South Africa, vacation
More pictures(Lions this time, baboons, and a beautiful bird)
South Africa, Part VIII
Posted: June 9, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: South Africa, vacation
We continued our trip on May 29th (our anniversary) by leaving St. Lucia and moving on to umfolozi game park(it is connected to HLUHLUWE game reserve. (pronounced “Shoushlooee”) See http://www.game-reserve.com/south-africa_hluhluwe-umfolozi.html for more information on the park. It was a beautiful start to the day. We arrived early in the day and began to see marvelous sights in the park. We first saw a group of Wildebeast’s (gnu) and zebra’s as we drove down the first road. Suddenly, up ahead was the heads of two beautiful giraffes.
As we turned down the main road, we continued to see Impallas, Wildebeast’s, nyalla’s, etc. We came across a park ranger who told us that lions and elephants had been seen up about a mile. We drove up and back and finally stopped on the bridge to see a group of Water Buffalo down near the water. Suddenly, we had a group of elephants. They were drinking, playing and enjoying the river. We looked up ahead and saw some people in another car pointing to the side. A male lion walked across the road in front of us. We continued to watch and another lion came across the road. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to take a picture. We went up the road and back thinking we had missed our chance for a picture. But, as we came back and parked on the bridge to watch the elephants and Water Buffalo, the lions came walking out of the reeds on to the sand of the river area.
South Africa, Part VII
Posted: June 5, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: South Africa, vacation
Here are some more pictures..including some animals.
South Africa, Part VI
Posted: June 5, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: South Africa, vacation
The lack of internet and phone service put me behind on the blogs, but let me catch you up.
On May 20th, we flew from Capetown to Jo’burg to join Ursula’s cousin Angelika and her husband. They live outside of Pretoria on an acreage with sheep, bees (Africanized) and horses and it is their retirement dream place. While we were there, we enjoyed seeing the area and traveling to some of the local sites. One of the sites we saw was a “Voortrekker” memorial that gives the history of the Boors(dutch) as they moved from the coast of South Africa to the interior. It chronicles their journey, their meeting with the Zulu and their battles with the Zulu too. Very fascinating when you compare it to the pioneers of North America.
ON the 22nd, we take a 8 hour drive to the Kwasisabantu mission. This mission to the Zulu’s is self-supporting from a water bottling plant and the many other enterprises (including the raising of avocodo’s and peppers). We meet many Africans (of many descents) and even learn a little Zulu. To say hi, you say Sowabona (I see you) and Yebo Sowabona (Yes, I see you). We experience a very unique place and hear some stunning Zulu music at the services. Later, more information on what this mission does in the area and in the world.
After a few days, we take off for the Eastern Coast that runs along the Indian Ocean. We arrive at the town of St. Lucia (sounds like Fallujah). This town sits on a lake and river that is full of hippos and crocodiles. The hippos come into the town at night to eat. Very fun place. We take a boat ride on the lake and have some close sightings of hippo’s, crocs, birds, etc. The ride is topped off with a great sunset at the end.
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- Voortrekker memorial
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- Indian Ocean
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- Kwasisabantu Mission
South Africa, Part V
Posted: May 27, 2008
Author: Matt Register
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: South Africa, vacation
I’m at an internet cafe that I’ve found in St. Lucia. It’s a beautiful area near the Indian Ocean…we’ve spent the day seeing monkey’s, hippo’s, zebra, african antelope, etc., etc. Unfortunately, I never see phones and haven’t had a chance to call the boys…I”ve emailed them, but hopefully they think to call as directed. We’re doing great and watching the time go by quickly.
We’ll be on to another game park on Thursday, and then back to the kwasisibantu mission by Saturday morning for a wedding and then back to the cousins house by Sunday…and then it’s pack and get ready. I don’t have a way to send pic’s right now…but I’ll try another time….Tommorrow we take a boat to see hippo’s and croc’s.
South Africa, Part IV
Posted: May 20, 2008
Author: Matt Register
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 1 Comment
Tags: South Africa, vacation
A couple of pictures:
South Africa, Part III
Posted: May 20, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: South Africa, vacation
Sorry that I’ve taken some days off…but the time goes by quickly.
Sunday, May 18, Day 4
Not a lot to add about the day. We have sore legs and bodies from all the walking that we’ve done while we have been here and the hike up Table Mountain took it out of us. We are the fortunate ones though, because the cable car has not worked at all. They’ve called in a person from Switzerland to come and fix the system. When there hasn’t been cable car issues, it has been the weather issues…so we are leaving town on Tuesday having seen the #1 site of Capetown.
Food…a little on the food. The experience of the South African food has been really good. There is an international flavor because of the influence of the Dutch and Germans who settled the region and other cuisines because of business travelers. We have enjoyed German beer with sausages, local game dishes (ostrich, kuzu, sprinkbok, wildebeast, etc.), South African pizza (not like Pizza Hut), and we have seen many western style eateries (KFC is real popular here).
Our breakfast each morning has been fun…I add this not because of the food, but because of the people. The staff has become our second family here. We have pictures of many of the staff and they have our picture as well. Many of them take the bus in from the outlying areas and they work among those who are “wealthy” tourists/business people. They are very geniuine and very kind. Starting the morning with a cappucino, some fresh fruit, breads, meats, and an assortment of choices (omelets, english breakfast, french toast, etc.) has made for a very relaxing time.
More on people…we have met a variety of travlers as well. People from England, Scotland, Japan, Germany, other parts of Africa, and Australia to mention a few. We have truly enjoyed the experience of Africa, but we have also enjoyed the people we have met.
Monday, May 19
Today is our chance to go to the wine country. Very old and very new wineries exist in the region of Stellenbosch. It is named after an early governor of Capetown region. He discovered and named this region after himself. It is the Napa Valley of South Africa.
We are picked up by Wayne Donaldson, who we realized later was listed in Food and Wine in 2006 as a fine tour guide. Fortunately for us, no one else signed up with Wayne for this day and so we had our own personal tour. We traveled to some fine stops for wine tasting and enjoyed each experience. At Waterford, we enjoyed some of the wine with some fine belgian chocolate and both were wonderful.
After a few stops, we went to Spier to see and interact with Cheetah’s. Next door is also a “bird of prey” sanctuary. Ursula had a chance to go in and pet cheetah cubs. No time for the eagles, but we enjoyed the cheetah section. Both are trying to save the animals. Like our country, their is an encroachment of the world of man on the world of the cheetah. They are raising dogs who can protect the herds so that the farmers are not trying to shoot or poison the cheetah. They take in the injured animals in order to bring them back to health and re-settle them to other areas.
We had a wonderful walk around the town of Stellenbosch as well. It has the look of an old dutch settlement in the buildings and yet it is a tourist area with the availability of shops and food stops. It is our last full day in Capetown…Tuesday we fly to Johannsburg. Not sure when I will next post on the blog, because we may or may not have internet service.
South Africa, Part II
Posted: May 17, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 1 Comment
Tags: South Africa, vacation
More on May 16, Day 3…
Too much to tell. But, we also had a chance to see African Penguins in great quanity. Took a short boat ride out to catch the seals in Hout Bay. Way too tired to really enjoy, but we also went to the Botanical gardens at Kirstenbosch. We had hoped to see Table Mountain, Chapman’s Point and a rock formation known as the 12 Apostles, but the mist was again very heavy on this day.
May 17, Day 4
It was the first morning that we woke up to clear skies. Good news, we can now go up to Table Mountain. The Cape of Good Hope and the ride to the top of Table Mountain were our big two sites that we wanted to see! So, we grab a taxi and take it to the mountain right after breakfast. They are supposed to take the first travelers up to the top at 8:30 a.m. We arrive at 8:30 a.m. Three hundred plus people who are waiting around to either get on the cable car or to buy tickets. Buses pulling up with more and more tourists. The line we’re in isn’t moving. Finally, we hear that the cable car is broken (common occurence) and that they will refund money. A few begin to leave. Then they announce that it is going to be a long, long time. Suddenly people move in droves to reach the “refund” window.
We look at each other. We flew 11,000 miles. We don’t know if the winter weather will allow for another clear day while we are here. So, we ask where the path is to the top of the mountain. You walk down about a mile or so and then you begin to make the mile long climb that will go up to 3100 feet high. Are we game? You bet ya. Of course, many times we wondered about the sanity of this plan. Others were trying the same plan, and they were turning around and passing as they came back down the path. We met others who decided to descend from the top because of the broken cable car. We thought we’d at least reached the 1/2 way point and they indicate that we’re only 1/4 of the way there.
But, we’re having as much fun as you can on three bottles of water and a small can of trail mix. So, we press on. It took us from 10 a.m. until noon to reach the top. It was a sense of accomplishment and we had the place to ourselves. Only about 60 or 70 up top during the time we were there instead of hundreds. We prayed that the cable car would take us back. They were running it every 90 minutes(for extra time to fix it) and only for taking people down the mountain. So, we waited until 1:30 p.m. and went down the mountain tired, sweaty and satisfied.
South Africa, Part I
Posted: May 17, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 1 Comment
Tags: South Africa, vacation
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- Windblown at the Cape
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- Ursula convincing him to escape
Good day,
Sorry to take so long to write a travel blog. It’s been hectic since we arrived in Capetown and the chance find the time has been difficult.
May 13, Day 1
Trips went well. Ursula left from Newark and I left from Houston through Atlanta. We both arrived in Amsterdam about 1 hour apart. (U at 6:15 a.m. and me at 7:20 a.m.) We found each other and relaxed until about 8:50 a.m. Our flight went 6000+ miles and arrived at 9:30 at night on May 14th. We were afraid we wouldn’t be able to sleep, but fell asleep fast and slept all night.
May 14, Day 2. Woke up and had a wonderful breakfast. After becoming acclimated to our area and options, we went down to the waterfront. After spending a few hours walking around shops and other interesting sites, we decided to go over to Robben Island (named by the Dutch for the number of seals they saw when they arrived - seal = Robben). A fascinating trip. Robben Island has been used as a prison outpost by various countries, a leper colony for a number of years, a base during WWII and as a site for medium and maximum security. The medium security was for hardened criminals and the maximum security was for political prisoners generated from the apartheid issues of the 60’s through 80’s. One of the big parts of the tour is seeing the cell that housed Nelson Mandella. The trip to the island meant going on a catamaran both ways. Ursula wasn’t to pleased with how it pitched back and forth on the way there, but it was better on the way back.
We met a number of people from all over the world. Very good trip.
May 15, Day 3. Another good breakfast and wonderful staff that we look forward to seeing. Today is a day long trip that will take us to many spots, including Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. We had a marvelous day seeing such beautiful area and a lot of variety. We came home bone tired, but it was great getting down to the lowest southwest spot on the African continent.
Does prayer work?
Posted: April 30, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 1 Comment
Tags: prayer
Do you pray? Many more people claim to pray than claim to be a part of a church family in the United States. Yet, prayer causes people to ask the hard questions about themselves and about God? Does God answer prayer? Why does He answer the way He does? Why someone else and not me? are just some of the questions that come to mind as people engage in prayer.
John 14:13 says, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.” This verse immediately causes us to question prayer and God….because all of us have prayed and not received what we desired. Here Jesus says He will do whatever we ask. So, at first glance, we have a promise that we may have felt that Jesus didn’t keep. Others of us may say that we have experienced this as absolutely true and perhaps we’ve used prayer in Jesus as our personal vending machine for our wants and desires.
Here’s the thing about this verse. If I’m listening to the whole verse…I can’t miss what Jesus says when He says, “In My Name!” That very verse begins to challenge our understanding of prayer. It begins to shift our thinking from ourself to Jesus. In His Name brings about the presence of God, the power of God, and kingdom of God into our midst. To do anything in Jesus Name means to go where He is…not bring Him where I am. This drives us back to where Jesus is present…in His Word. The more we are in the Word, the more we are in Jesus. It brings us into the presence of Jesus and into His kingdom. Very important to note that this does not become a secret way to get what we want…but rather, it brings us into a different way of thinking and it changes us. To be in Jesus Name now brings us into “His Kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Therefore, to be in His name changes our way of thinking and praying. As we are aligned with Jesus will, we begin to pray in a different way and of course He does what we ask, because we ask in light of what He is doing in His reign and rule. Therefore, it drives us to be in the Word more…and to pray more….and to seek His will more. In that, the Father is glorified….prayer is no longer our means to change God…but another way that we see God moving us by His Word. More could be said…but a place to start as we think about prayer.
Blessing and bane of cell phones
Posted: April 21, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: cell phones, connectivity, hurried lifestyle
Cell phones have changed our lives drastically. There was a day that you went off to work, ran an errand, or went to a ball game and no one could reach you during the time you were driving, shopping, or enjoying a game. We thought nothing of being out for two to three hours and no one could reach us. The pagers came along and they would buzz and beep on our belts. Of course, you had to be able to get to a phone to call someone back. If you didn’t call back for an hour or two, it was because you were unable to call right back. More expectations, but not the idea of immediate contact.
I remember a few years ago when I showed up at a meeting with a cell phone. The pastors scoffed at the idea that I had one of these devices and wondered what I was up to my interest in a “cell phone.” The next time we met, they all asked if they could use it to call their wives during the 5 days we were together and at some point….they all began to carry their own phones. I can’t find them anymore without calling their cell phone. Now we have cell phones. Not just a few of us either. Most everyone carries a cell phone 24/7.
With the blessing of having the ability to stay in touch with our work, family, and friends, comes the bane of being available for our work, family and friends. People are never away from work. Go to the airport and everyone is discussing business before they get on the plane. You walk through the mall and the person who appears to be talking to you are really discussing some office problem on their blue-tooth microphone. Look around at a ballgame sometime and notice how many people are talking on the phone (or texting if they are under the age of 24) while watching the game.
The phone becomes a problem with the opportunity for contact becomes an expectation for immediate conversation. I find that I can’t take a shower, work out for a few minutes, or simply forget to turn the phone off of vibrate mode without finding several “missed calls” and many voice mails asking “where are you?” and “call me quick.” We’re on call all the time. You can’t ignore a phone call, even if it’s an unknown number….it might be a loved one calling from a strangers cell phone because they locked their phone and keys in the car. (that’s a blessing)
I do have to say though…I’m glad that God is on call all the time. He not only answers, but He desires to be called upon. He knows what we need, but He’s anxious for us to call Him anyway. If it was me…I’d be tired of the whole thing. I’d wonder why some don’t call more often…or why they only call in trouble. But, He never tires of the calls and never changes His mind about saying “Call on me.” Also, no busy signals…and never a situation of being “out of a signal area.” When we go through Bane and Blessings…He is ready and He listens.
I have no answer for the right use of phones…but God’s call to prayer never ceases…in fact He says to call(pray) without ceasing.
Nifty, Nifty, look who’s fifty
Posted: March 20, 2008
Author: Pastor Steve
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
I normally ignore all birthdays. It’s not that I’m afraid of growing older, I’ve just never had a big need to celebrate the anniversary of those obvious reminders. In coming up on fifty, I had given it some thought and realized that time does really pass by quickly. I still feel like I should be 25 years old and that life, family, ministry are all at the beginning stages. But then, I look and realize that my boys are pushing into the 20’s, my hair has a little gray(what little I have, and it’s more than a little gray) and there is a recognition of the passing of time.
It’s mostly a good feeling. We have been truly blessed. We have been blessed to know so many wonderful people in our lives. God has put so many opportunities before us and we’ve been privileged to participate in God’s marvelous work. We have not always enjoyed every moment. Ministry isn’t always fun, kids can bring stress, and we’ve questioned the decisions we’ve made. I have seen my own spiritual walk wax and wane, but God’s faithfulness has been so steady throughout this time.
On top of this, I still have to face the fact of my birthday. My office is vandalized(kindly) and a surprise birthday party. The party is fun and the people are precious. My wife plans it in spite of me and a good time is had by all. I am reminded…it is all a gift of God. I’d like to think that I have 50 more years to enjoy serving the Lord and loving people and enjoying my family. Not likely, but I am thankful that I can look ahead and know that God is control of today and tomorrow. What a joy! In that, I rejoice in the words of Ephesians 2:8-10, “By Grace you are saved, through faith. Not of yourself, it is a gift of God.It is not the result of anything you’ve done, in order that no one can boast. You are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to live a life filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do.”
Ben Stein’s “Expelled”
Posted: March 15, 2008
Author: Matt Register
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 3 Comments
Tags: "Expelled", Ben Stein, intelligent design
A very interesting movie coming out soon…. I would encourage you to check out the trailer here: http://www.expelledthemovie.com
What is your definition of perfect?
Posted: February 2, 2008
Author: Matt Register
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: perfect, Super Bowl
It is Super Bowl weekend. Everyone is gearing up for the big game and everything goes with it. I heard that the average spending by Americans is $58.91/person for food, beverages and other items for the game. I don’t know if that is based on viewers or taking the total spending and dividing it by the number of people in the country. It is the one day of the year that people care about the commercials. Statistics say that 92.4% of people will stay to watch the commercials. There are newspaper articles, internet sites, blogs, and magazines devoted to what will take place with these commercial spots. After the game, there will be sites that a person can play back the commercials, vote on the their favorites, and comment on what they have seen.
All of this surrounds the play of two teams who want to be Super Bowl Champion. New England is trying for a perfect season. That phrase is intriguing. The perfect season means that they will have gone 19-0 as a team. But, in the midst of that perfect season will be games with interceptions, fumbles, mental mistakes, and physical mistakes. So, is it really perfect? I think about this because it has some spiritual implications as well.
When we are trying to live life according to works…we can easily pick and choose what we want to measure. Our lives look pretty good when we are able to choose our own measurements. We choose our wins and ignore the other “mistakes.” This is dangerous because we can become self-righteous and self-serving.
There is a very good way to look at this as well. We are justified through faith by Grace. God’s activity through Jesus to make us righteous through the suffering, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. He declares us perfect. In a way it’s like a perfect season (19-0). God declares us righteous for Jesus sake, and the individual interceptions, fumbles and mistakes of our life become of no effect. (Perhaps I carry this too far) But, it does help to signify how important Grace is and that the statement of God’s grace is much bigger than what we see in one another…just a thought for Super Bowl Weekend.
I’m not getting better….I’m getting older
Posted: January 6, 2008
Author: Matt Register
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: cattle, knee-cap
Ok,
So, I start out my trip to my parents with a speeding ticket. The fun part starts when we get to work cattle the next morning. Now, working my dad’s herd usually works pretty well. He has smaller numbers and they are very gentle. You start working herds that run on the range and belong to someone else, that gets a little dicey. We wanted to vaccinate my dad’s cows and my uncle had a small herd he needed to move and vaccinate. We get up early and go to get this group loaded. One cow we keep separate because she had a calf the night before and we thought we’d leave her until the end. The only problem was that she was getting more agitated as the rest were taken away. By the time we got back to load four calves and this mother and her calf, she was beside herself. She was shaking her head at me, pawing the dirt, and charging at the gate and fence. I’m standing on the other side thinking, “I’m not getting in there with her.”
Long story made short, we finally get her to the point where we’re trying to draw her into the trailer by having her charge down the lane and chute after us. But, she’d stop short of getting close enough for us to shut the proper gates and she would wander off. Finally, she wandered from her calf far enough that I snatched the calf and took it to the trailer. Unfortunately, the mother couldn’t figure out where her calf was crying and she just walked around lost. So, I started to walk back out of the trailer carrying the calf.
Now, mind you, that I was watching the cow (who wanted to hurt me) and trying to control this calf. Since I wasn’t looking at the ground I stepped on some fresh manure covering a rock. Nothing slicker than “stuff” on a rock. My right foot slid out and I could feel my toes hyper-extending. I let go of the calf and came down on my left knee on top of another rock. At that moment I thought I broke my knee-cap. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t grab the calf and I felt helpless. Fortunately, the cow didn’t come charging down the lane and I limped out.
The worst part at that moment wasn’t the pain…it was the fact that I lost the advantage we had by controlling the calf. By the grace of God the cow finally went into the trailer. We shut her in and I carried the calf into the back and set her in.
What did I learn? A couple of men can be stupid to keep trying things with a cow that is out of control. I learned that pain can debilitate you to the point you can’t deal with the more important things around you. Third, I realized I was more concerned about letting my dad down then any of the above items. The thing is, he wasn’t worried about that stuff…he was concerned for me.
Aren’t we that way with God? We get tied up with the pain of the moment and lose sight of God’s care for us. He’s not only there…but He has the solutions and He has the power for our lives to deal with it. But we’re so debilitated by the pain and the disappointment…we don’t notice. It is so good to know that God doesn’t lose interest in us, or become discouraged. The God who sends His Son becomes even more involved. He picks us up. He carries us. He comforts us. He’s bigger than our pain and our problems.
Meanwhile…I’m not getting better…just older.
Living in Denial
Posted: January 2, 2008
Author: Matt Register
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: Christmas, denial, new year
So, I’m headed up to my parents home. A little tired after all of the Christmas season rush and anxious for some days of relaxation and spending time with family. I take a left turn on to Highway 36, leading out of Temple, for the last portion of the trip. I think I see a sign for 60(at least assume), and that the sign turns to 70 a ways up the road (again assumption). This is a beautiful four lane road compared to the two lane roads that I was on before. It felt nice to kick on the cruise control with the wider open space and I was looking forward to pulling into their ranch in just a few minutes. Just then, an officer of the law does a u-turn from the other direction and comes up behind me! I’m a little shocked that he stays there and doesn’t go around me to find some law-breaker. I pull over and he stays right there with me. He walks up and asks the question, “Do you know why I stopped you?” I respond, “not really” and he lets me know that I was going over 70 miles an hour in a 60 mile an hour zone.
Now the denial kicks in. “That can’t be,” “I’ve driven this many times,” “When did they change the signs?” I’m feeling argumentative about the speed he told me..but it doesn’t matter. I was going to fast. Busted. Life is like that. Whether we know it or not…we are going out of the zone in life and someone tells us that we’ve moved beyond the boundaries. It doesn’t just happen with speed zones. It’s life zones. How do we react? If you’re like me. It’s denial. It wasn’t me, it isn’t my problem, they have a problem, it’s a mistake. But denial doesn’t help. We often become defensive and push people off and don’t really consider what is happening in our own life.
As we begin a New Year, it is good for us to consider our life, our attitudes and our actions. Not only on what we’re doing today, but also on how we will deal with the issues that come up in our life? Will we be so arrogant that we will act as though we never do anything wrong? Will we try to live in Denial rather than approach the truth of who and what we are? It’s a good time to think about what we confess in worship. We often confess that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed. As we say that, it’s good for us for us to consider our very motives. Our we open to our own failings and short-sightedness? Or are we going to live in denial? Reading 1 John 1:7,8 and consider the question…can we live in denial and how has God been faithful to me?
Our God Our Help in Ages Past
Posted: December 31, 2007
Author: Matt Register
Category: Pastors' Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
Tags: new year
Have you ever heard that hymn? Our God Our Help in Ages Past. That means a lot as we go from 2007 to 2008. This one line from the hymn says a lot about what I can expect in the coming year. Just saying “Our God” says a lot. It says something about being together. It says that we belong to the same God. It means that the God of heaven and earth has called us together that we can say “our.” Jesus taught His disciples to pray that way…”Our Father.” It means belonging to one another and to the Lord. To say, “Our Help” indicates that we anticipate need. We had need in the past and we will need help in the future. It is His Help that has been faithful. It is His help that we can speak of because it came at the right place and time.
To look ahead to another year is to know where our strength has come from in the past. It takes away fear and adds confidence. “If God is for us…who can be against us?” The question Paul asks is answered here. He is for us…and He continues to be for us.
Ages Past says something too. It’s just not our past. It’s the past that includes 2000 years ago. It’s His work 2000 years ago that seals the first part of this phrase. It was His sending of Jesus that makes it truly “