Category Archives: Life experiences

church family, Life experiences

Listening To Life Stories

Just a quick blog post about my brother Gary and I connecting with our old but very energetic friend Darrell Creswell.

I first met Darrell in 1977.  He served as our youth pastor in Davenport Iowa with pastor Tommy Barnett.
Wow, Darrell has lived a colorful and fascinating life.
I ask him to tell me his story At the restaurant where we had lunch.
So cool to hear about the mountain top as well as the valley experiences he has witnessed.
After striking oil in Texas in the 1980’s his life drastically changed.
Darrell is the owner of http://www.braziliansprings.com/
Great to catch up with Darrell as well as being able to have some time with the best brother on the planet .

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Just sayin', leadership, Life experiences, Ministry

The Earth Is Not Flat.

I can remember as a child in elementary school looking at the history book and seeing the map and pictures of what the world looked like back in Columbus day.
The picture in the history book was of ships falling off the end of the earth because the earth was believed to be flat. You remember those old maps with the sea monsters and the dragons and people hanging on to the end of the world.

(photos by Ed Miracle taken from google images)

Well, recently I had a situation that caused me to feel like my ship was about to fall off the end of the earth.
In fact I was explaining my emotions to someone. I was explaining how I felt that I had every anchor out in an attempt to keep from going over the edge.

With that, the person I was speaking to said very simply, “Hey Steve, you’ve got to remember, the earth is not flat, its round.” Wow, I had a moment where I felt at peace and realized what I was worrying about was basically conjured up in my mind and was not a real scenario at all.

Most of our fears never really come to pass.

The words of Jesus  still reverberate with truth. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34 NIV) He was teaching people who had ears to hear to learn to live one day at a time. The context of Jesus’ profound recommendation begins in Matthew 6:35, and concludes in the final verses of this life-changing lesson. “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:31-34 NKJV)

My situation was very real and had some serious ramifications if not dealt with  but we are all going to have problems and situations that are beyond our control….that is just a fact. But another fact is that we have a choice as to how we respond to the problems and situations in our lives.

The earth is not flat. That is so important because of this one important thing. If the earth was flat we would eventually fall off the edge. But, because it is round we can keep going forward.
What a great feeling to have hope and a future.

You can keep going forward Don’t let fear keep you from sailing– the earth is not flat it is round.

This is our world and it is round meaning we can keep sailing around it and not fall off it.

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Just sayin', Life experiences

Don’t Quit

don't quit

I am really thankful for people like Mark Batterson and others who God give us to encourage us.

The way I was emotionally feeling this morning was putting me in a very vunerable place and if your are like most of us HUMANS that is  not a  good place.

Then, as I usually do, I reached out and read a post from Mark’s blog and I had to post it on mine.

“The king stuck the ground three times and then quit. The Holy Man became angry with him: “Why didn’t you hit the ground five or six times?”

II Kings 13

Dare I say it? The primary reason we don’t experience a complete breakthrough is because we quit too soon! There is a time to call it quits–if the Lord has released you from the thing he called you too. But you better not quit for any other reason!

When I get discouraged, 9 times out of 10, it’s because I’m focused on the short-term. I need to zoom out and see the big picture. Here’s some encouragement. In the words of Bill Gates: we tend to overestimate what we can accomplish in 2 years and underestimate what we can accomplish in 10 years. It’s true! Don’t quit after three attempts. Keep hitting the ground. Literally and figuratively. One way we honor God is simply this: keep on keeping on.”

Thanks Mark for the reminder to not be so shortsighted.

Now here is a definition of being “shortsighteed” –

Myopia (Greek: μυωπία, muōpia, “nearsightedness”[1]), also called nearsightedness or shortsightedness, is a refractive defect of the eye in which collimated light produces image focus in front of the retina when accommodation is relaxed.

Those with myopia see nearby objects clearly but distant objects appear blurred. With myopia, the eyeball is too long, or the cornea is too steep, so images are focused in the vitreous inside the eye rather than on the retina at the back of the eye. The opposite defect of myopia is hyperopia or “farsightedness” or “long-sightedness”—this is where the cornea is too flat or the eye is too short.

Anyone besides me  have “MYOPIC” vision?

If so, ask God to give you a better vision of the long hual .

Here is God’s book on the subject of not quitting- 

but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. Philippians 3:13-16 (message)

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family, Life experiences

Dad/Daughter Date Night

Just wanted to post a note about my night with Tash this past week when we went to see U2 at the University of Phoenix stadium in Phoenix.

I just gotta say the event was above my expectation.

80k plus people – one of the great bands of all times – one of the greatest stadiums in the country and the best daughters in the world, Wow, a great time.

Here are a few pics of their 360 tour’s stage.

bono

edge

ship-3

The “space ship”  was a stage designed to create a more intimate setting between the band and the masses. Bono captured the goal perfectly.

Interesting note about the “spirituality” of  the band can be found at the following link.

http://www.atu2.com/band/bono/

It is amazing to me that these Welsh born guys were raised in the same place where one of the greatest move’s of God happened on the moderen planet.

As he knelt on the stage,  Bono ask the concert goers to pray with him for the release of  political prisoners around the world. He also sang a “Bono” redintion of Amazing Grace.

The night with Tash was a blast to remember. The Sound system rocked and the message was one of hope and a future for humanity.

U2

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Life experiences

TRAPPED

TRAPPED

Last Monday, July 27th I was in the middle of nowhere. Actually, Mayer Arizona.  I heard a strange commotion to the right of my path I was on. As I looked about 20 feet ahead of me I noticed a sparrow had been trapped in a mouse trap. That was something that just was not going to be left alone by me.

As I attempted to catch the bird that was caught in the trap she attempted to keep away from me by going around a bush for cover. After about five around the thicket, I finally caught the trapped bird that was trying to get away from me.

As I lifted the clamp that had the birds leg the bird immediately fluttered away.

After the episode was over I noticed the little sparrow was following me. Maybe to say thanks or maybe not.

Anyway it makes me think of the traps we get ourselves into from time to time and how someone bigger, someone greater comes along to free us.

getting loose from the feeling of being trapped and powerless must feel something like that little bird experienced last Monday. Free and very grateful!

 

PICT0755SongSparrow

“So do not be afraid ….. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:26-31 (niv)
– awesome .

 

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church farm, coffee, family, Life experiences, Mountain biking

DAY PARTS

I just wanted to post a few pictures Im calling “Day Parts”.

PART 1

Started out the way I love to – Devotion , Sunday preparation and strong coffee.

bible coffee

PART 2

Then I went to work on getting these two canoes back to Missouri for my friend Mile Ketcherside.

We had to fix the Yakima racks on Annie’s Ford Explorer before they can be shipped. She hit a tree and did some damage to the whole system. Bigger project than I projected.

2 canoes

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PART 3

Hung out at Chruch Farm. It is really cool to see lots of people come by to help Thomas during the day.

All kinds of stuff growing – can’t wait for the harvet give away at “The Table”.

I met a young man from Virignia that is filming a documentary on “Building Communities” today. He is filming three cities and stopped by Church Farm to take a hands on approach to some of the work Thomas and crew are doing.

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I love using a canoe to very last drop. This one is helping us grow Kale and salad greens.

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The Potatoes are kickin it.

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Twila and Sophie have the life!

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PART 4

Just before sunset, I slipped in an hour of the “sweet spot” in the woods.

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PART 5

Finishing off the day by just hanging with the best bride on the planet! – She makes killer tacos.

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“As thy days, so shall thy strength be;”—Deuteronomy 33:25 (kjv)

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Life experiences, outdoors

I’VE BEEN AFRICANIZED

buffy-2

Yesterday in Cornville Arizona I was introduced to the Africanized Honey Bee with a punchant right jab to the face.

This was a vicious relentless non-stop  attack.

Africanized Honey Bees also called Africanized bees or killer bees — are descendants of southern African bees imported in 1956 by Brazilian scientists attempting to breed a honey bee better adapted to the South American tropics.

When some of these bees escaped quarantine in 1957, they began breeding with local Brazilian honey bees, quickly multiplying and extended their range throughout South and Central America at a rate greater than 200 miles per year.

Africanized bees acquired the name killer bees because they will viciously attack people and animals who unwittingly stray into their territory, often resulting in serious injury or death.

It is not necessary to disturb the hive itself to initiate an AHB attack. In fact, Africanized bees have been know to respond viciously to mundane occurrences, including noises or even vibrations from vehicles, equipment and pedestrians.

Here are a few facts about AHB’s

AHB Facts

  • Are slightly smaller than the European honey bee, but only an expert can tell them apart
  • Defend their hive more rapidly than the European honey bee
  • Usually sting in greater numbers
  • Are less selective about where they nest
  • Swarm more often than European honey bees
  • Do not have stronger venom than the European honey bee
  • Each bee can only sting one time – females die after stinging (Awesome!)
  • Eat nectar and pollen and make honey
  • Are not native to the U.S.; they came from Africa

Keep a close watch out this summer and remember the AHB’s are more likely to sting you if you are wearing black clothing.

bee

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Funny stuff, Life experiences, outdoors

HOW TO DE SKUNK YOUR DOG

pepe-le-pew

If you are an outdoors lover and a dog lover you might want to brace yourself for what happened to me today.

I took the two goldens for a walk in the late afternoon.

Just about to wrap up the walk when  I looked behind me to see no dogs.

That usually means they found something. Yep, they really found something.

They had just been perfumed by one of natures worst smells, A skunk.

This is the second time this has happen to us so I wanted to blog breifly about what to do when your dog gets skunked.

HOW TO DE SKUNK YOUR DOG.

ABOVE ALL ELSE, DO NOT LET THE DOG IN THE HOUSE !

Here is a simple solution.

1 Qt 3% hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
1 tsp. liquid soap

  1. Do not just run water over your dog. This only increases the stink, and if the dog has dry, or cracked skin, the spray can get into his skin, and cause burning. This also can lead to skin problems later.
  2. Mix about 3/4 of a big bottle of hydrogen peroxide with about 3-6 tablespoons of baking soda. This is for a small dog. For a medium sized dog, use twice as much, and 3 times as much for a big dog.
  3. Scrub the solution gently all over your dog. It is advisable to use disposable gloves, or if your skin is dry or cracked, it would burn your skin. If you do this outside, your house won’t stink as much, and it would be better for everyone.
  4. If stinking persists, make some more of the solution, or call your vet for other ideas.
  5. Try to keep your dog in the backyard, if you are missing a fence or have a swimming pool, try to keep it in the basement (in their cage) or a room that you don’t usually go into.

These guys where a lot of work today but there are  worth it.

chinka

Cody (Courtious) (pronounced “coda way”) named after the Courious river in Missorri.

belle

Belle is our little Golden Retreiver we adopted from Rescue Golden. She had really been through it after being bit by a rattle snake here in Arizona.

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Life experiences, outdoors

BUCK KNIFE STORY

buck-knife

Every February a pastor friend of mine puts on a “wild game dinner” here in our community.

This year he ask Chuck Buck from Idaho to speak at the dinner.  Chuck is the CEO of Buck knives. What a great story he told of how the company got started.

The first Buck knife was crafted in a Kansas blacksmith’s shop by Hoyt Buck 106 years ago. Hoyt later became a preacher in the town of Mountain View, Idaho, and during the Second World War used a traditional forge and grinding wheel installed in the basement of his church to craft knives out of discarded metal files and the plastic of aircraft canopies. Delighted with the shiny plastic handles and blades that could chop bolts while holding their edge, thousands of U.S. servicemen spread Hoyt Buck’s reputation by word-of-mouth.

It was a great story and each time I get out my Buck knife I will handle it with a bit more respect.

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