Pastor's Blog Welcome to my weblog (which most people call a blog). The opinions expressed herein are my own personal thoughts and opinions. Check back often for my musings and updates on our church, our ministry, and my life. Make sure you check out our ministries and worship service times. Feel free to e-mail me your comments on my entries or use our contact form.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Acts 2 Church in a Nutshell
Hello, reader. I thought you might be interested in getting information on our church. We don’t do very much snail mail, so I thought I would just drop you a blog and highlight a few links on our web page: First, and this is VERY important: We are the only charismatic Southern Baptist Cell church in the world. Yes, we are unique, different, special, and one-of-a-kind! By “charismatic”, we mean spiritual gifts are believed. We believe in miracles and a supernatural Lord. If it’s in the Bible, then we do our best to follow it. Having faith is important. Click on Baptism of the Holy Spirit “Southern Baptist” explains our roots: Jesus is the Son of God, He died for us to live, and He lives in us now in the form of the Holy Spirit. Click on Southern Baptist Roots “Cell” is how we operate: during one night of the week we meet in homes, about 6 to 15 in a home, and we have 7 cell groups as of this date. On Sunday morning at 10:30, we all get together and have a celebration service that includes praise, testimonies, much prayer, and a sermon. We finish around noon. Programs are not in our agenda. We are a relationship-oriented community. This takes precedence over all else for support, encouragement, help, and accountability. Click on Cell Groups That is it in a nutshell. Besides being Senior Pastor, I am a retired Navy Lieutenant Commander medical entomologist, and a Chesapeake Public School Life Science (biology) teacher. I know, I know. It’s a weird combination, but I prefer to think of it as "unique". The Lord can do anything, and so we enjoy coloring outside the lines, and making paths into unknown territory. We would love to have you come along for the journey. We have taken a new path concerning our up-and-coming “summer school”. Click on Acts 2 Church Summer School This will replace our cell groups for July and August while we get some training. Write to admin@acts2church.org and let me know if you are interested. Nursery will be provided. You will have to let us know if you have any questions. We work hard at being a help, not a bother. Blessings to you, --Pastor Rob "Rob" Stevenson Pastor, Acts 2 Church 929 Level Green Blvd. Virginia Beach VA 23464 Mobile: 757-724-3331
posted at 06:50PM	comments

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Like Father, Like Son
Granted, this isn’t the most appropriate subject. Then again, it is part of what school encompasses, and I am a teacher. On this occasion it was particularly interesting to experience what happened between a man and a woman teacher when a student got sick. I saw the two sides of how the genders might think one morning as Bell 1 was commencing, but more importantly how it related to my dad. Mrs. Taylor caught me by my classroom door and said, “Do you have some paper towels? We have a student sick in the hallway.” She pointed to the student leaning over and retching some of his breakfast onto the floor. Being a science teacher, with a sink and towels, I said, “Certainly,” and began to get them. Mrs. Taylor disappeared around the hallway and I came out with the towels, immediately starting to cover up and clean up the mess on the floor. “No, Mr. Stevenson, not the floor. The student! Help the student,” Mrs. Taylor shouted to me. I had to laugh. A memory sprang up, long forgotten, but now no less vivid. On a country trip in the late 60s, I had gotten sick and thrown up out the car window (and down the side of the car). At my mom’s urging my dad had pulled off to the side of the road. I jumped out of the car and finished emptying my stomach. My dad had gotten out and started cleaning off the side of the car. I can still hear my mom yelling, “No, Steve. Your son! Help your son.” Here I was, in my 50s now, and probably doing and thinking the same thing as my dad. I believe as our mindsets continue to change that we can start thinking like our Father God. As Jesus walked this earth, He did it. It might be a spiritual implanting of His genetic Spirit into ours. Then, some training and changing of attitudes, actions, and reactions. I believe it will happen. We will see, feel, and act the way our Father God would see, feel, and act. Clean up the mess, or clean up the student? It’s still a dilemma to me. I love you, Dad.
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Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Marriage Requires This
What does marriage require? This morning as I was pondering St. Valentine's Day, and love, and marriage, it dawned on me that some characteristics not usually mentioned in sermons and marriage articles are crucial aspects of a good, enduring marriage. Stubborness. Two people that are hard-headed, stubborn, and inflexible are awesome examples of what can make a marriage work. They will not let ANYTHING come between them. Not finances, selfishness, sex, communication, pettiness, immaturity, or stupidity will detour these two from living together. Pride. Being proud of keeping the same spouse regardless of the circumstances is a characteristic that has merit. Yes, I know, the Bible has some derogatory things to say about pride. It can be a problem, but when added to a worthy cause, it is a virtue I believe. Selflessness. Two marriage partners have to learn how to die. Dying almost every day is a tough thing. If you are stubborn enough to keep your marriage going, you can do it. If you are proud enough to look forward to looking back one of these days, and saying "I stuck it out," then you can most certainly do it. After 39 years, I look back and thank God I had a mate who was just as stubborn, and proud, and selfless as I am, and probably even more so. The blessings cannot be counted. The joys, the comfort, the peace, the strengths, the counsel, the nurturing, the fellowship. I am telling you, that nothing can compare to going the distance with your spouse. Take some of those qualities that seem like weaknesses, and put them to good use. Years from now, you will be so glad you did. A kind of poem: "39 and it’s still Fine" 39 years ago we were married. It was 1970 the year. We were young, but had no fear. 19 years old. We were standing in front of the preacher, in that old Methodist church with bunches of people. But that was not when my love began. No, look to 12 years old, in the 6th grade (not hardly a groom) when I spied her, sitting in a desk towards the back of the room. I know people will laugh and maybe shake their heads, but I tell you this anyway; this is what I said, “That is the girl I am going to marry.” I wish I could say it was love at first sight. However, Beverly Park was one girl who had some fight. She wasn’t impressed at all by such an impetuous one. Yes, I had to win her, and it wasn't all fun. Slowly, though, she saw some virtue somewhere. When she said "yes" I thought I would never have a care. 7 grandchildren have blessed us now. I married not only a good wife, but a great mom. 4 sons along the way, through our college days, Air Force and Navy careers. Great dads they all turned out to be. 2 times I have been ever so happy: when Jesus came and took my sins away, and when Bev said “yes” on that grand and wonderful day. 1 glorious journey and 1 glorious God. Time moves on and the numbers will change, but the love we have continues to gain. 39 and it’s still fine. Thank you, Jesus!
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Monday, October 5, 2009

Following Orders
I followed orders. Twenty years ago, in September 1989, Hurricane Hugo was coming across the Caribbean. It crashed into the Virgin Islands, leaving plenty of desolation, and proceeded to the Atlantic coast of the United States. I was a Navy Lieutenant Commander, an entomologist, a scientist, with orders to go to St. Croix, in the Virgin Islands, one of the hardest hit islands. Being in preventive medicine, my team's mission was to target and initiate control measures against the disease carriers, like mosquitoes, filth flies, and rats. I wrestled with leaving my family in the path of a hurricane and doing my duty. I think this was one of the first times I had encountered this. Usually, the military man is going into harm's way, but I wasn't. The C-130 cargo plane I boarded in Norfolk VA would fly around the storm, and land me on a fairly demolished, but landable runway strip at the Henry E Rohlsen Airport, St. Croix, behind the hurricane. What of my family? I had to leave. One of the commitments of the military. Fortunately, Hurricane Hugo landed south of Virginia Beach, and went into South and North Carolina. At least that was fortunate for my peace of mind, not so much for the Carolinians. We followed orders. We pinpointed the problem areas for mosquito, filth fly, and rodent control. We sprayed, we larvicided, we educated, and we did it in a no-power, campsite scenerio. We worked closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Navy ships were there too. I got my first hot meal from their generosity. So, we worked hard and we covered the whole island. Some of our men even went to neighboring St. Thomas island to check out the problems there. I watched the green leaves and foliage come back. When I got there, the whole countryside was devoid of leaves. Long, bare branches reached up to the sky, like boney skeleton fingers trying to touch the clouds. The leaves had been stripped off entirely. All looked brown and dead. It lived though. Greenery started returning and the trees regained their regal appearances. After several weeks we were fatigued, dirty, and out of supplies. We started making preparations to head back to the United States. Flights were sporadic, being all military. No commercial flights had been approved to come in yet. They followed orders. My crew was composed of two men from my preventive medicine unit, and two from Jacksonville, FL. One of my men was yancy to get home, and started making plans to get aboard the first plane. In talking to the controllers it was going to be too crowded for all of us and our equipment. In addition, they weren't sure of its itinerary. My petty officer knew it was heading for the states, and that was good enough for him. I thought about it. His daughter had strep when he had left, and our communication to the states was very tenuous. I finally told him we needed to wait. I didn't want to break up the team, and I wanted a firmer idea of where in the states we would be going. The petty officer was not happy. He argued. He cajoled. He reasoned. It didn't help his case. I held my position. Unhappy, he followed orders just the same. Before too long another plane came in. It got us to Miami, and from there we got a commercial flight to our destinations. The plane the petty officer wanted to take ended up going to Ohio. He would have lost an extra day or two had he boarded it. Following orders. We are in submission to someone. A boss, director, supervisor, or chief is over us. We need to learn to take orders and to follow them. Sometimes it is humbling, but it is also a good character-building exercise. Jesus likes a servant who can follow orders. Are you one?
posted at 08:11PM	comments

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Growing Needs Goals
I remember few of my really early years. They were wholesome and “normal” from what I can remember. Pictures show me with my diaper always sagging. It wasn’t the style, but more my mom’s ineptitude at pinning a diaper. They were all cloth in those days to be sure, and real pins were used. Huge ones. I think my mom’s goal in those days was to make sure she never stuck me. Later in childhood, I remember thinking that my little brother was an annoyance. I was always trying to get away from him, and like all little brothers who admire their big brother, he wanted to tag along everywhere I went. I started thinking about this last year and wrote an email to my brother, Judd, asking him to forgive me for the way I acted. He didn’t have many memories of it, at least that he could readily call up. It didn’t seem like a big deal to him. I’ve seen from my sons; however, how siblings can and should act around one another. I am shamed by my past actions those many years ago. I wish I would have had the sense to make a goal of brotherly love. At 12 (that would be the summer of 1963), I pulled my dad’s reel lawnmower out of the garage and went looking for lawns to mow. Somehow in that 6th grade brain I got the idea that I needed to make money. I found one or two agreeable neighbors, and this soon blossomed into 6 or 8 that became regular customers. North Florida is a good place for a lawn business. Lawns need mowing almost year around. An average lawn was $1.25, and minimum wage was less than a dollar an hour. My dad instructed me in saving, which I started doing right away, and this became a goal. He financed my first mower for me, and I paid him back half with the understanding that I would use it on our own lawn as well. I worked those lawns for a number of years. I remember this one Baptist preacher had just moved into a house that I had been doing, and he asked me what I charged. I decided to go up to $1.50 on this lawn, because of it’s size. This Baptist preacher called me into his study and we had a long discussion about that extra 25 cents I was charging. I held firm, and he finally agreed. It was my first experience in making a deal. About 4 years later (1967) I started working for a health insurance company, pulling Medicare claims for the minimum wage of $1.00 an hour. I remember looking at one of my first pay stubs some months later when it went up to $1.15, and mentally calculating how much I could save over the next months and years. Of course, I wasn’t saving just for the sake of saving. I had a goal now. I wanted to get married, but I knew I needed money and a way to support my bride. Now, you might be thinking I was a little young for that sort of goal, but it’s true nonetheless. We need goals. We need to have something to live for that we feel is far-reaching, eternal, and worthwhile. It helps us to grow when we have a goal. What is a goal of your life? — Pastor Rob
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Sunday, June 28, 2009

Death & Dying, Growth & Trying
My mom just turned 90 a few months ago. Health-wise she is doing great, but each time I call her and we say goodbye, she always finishes with "I love you". It's not a flippant kind of "I love you", like you might tell your children when they go off to school. Instead it is like a I-might-not-ever-be-able-to-say-this-again, so hear this: "I love you". Mom is aware that her days are numbered. Of course, all of our days are numbered, but some of us have more days than others and the number of days are too many to consider. My mom is thinking that 90 is right up there and the Lord could be taking roll call at any time. I have really admired her matter-of-fact manner of looking at death. She is giving things away, keeping her cash flow down (giving that away), transferring names to accounts and titles, and basically just getting her house in order. It's neat to see her continue on with life in spite of her age. Mom is working a needlepoint pattern, doing yard work, some cooking, church, some shopping, and a little visiting. Plenty of relaxing, too. I think she deserves that time and I’m glad to see her being able to do it. What I also see is a mom that is at peace with the world and with her creator. She is happy. A health care worker was telling me the other day that in her nursing home they have a few who are over 100 years old. They each have one thing in common. Each of these centenarians only takes two drugs. Nothing else. One is a multi-vitamin. The other? Well, what do you think someone at that age would need to maintain themselves. Blood pressure? Heart? Intestinal? Muscle? Bones? It’s none of those. Try depression. Being depressed at 100+ years of age kind of makes sense when you think about it. This is especially true when you have little hope of eternity with a loving creator. Your body with its aches, pains, and ailments are constant aggravations. In addition, life’s experiences, like remorse over mistakes, loss of family, no family, busted dreams, lost hope, and having to live with the consequences of bad decisions, are all contributions to depression. This then is the second drug that these centenarians take; that is a drug to deal with depression. Certainly, Jesus could help out in this mindset dilemma. However, even people who love Jesus will get depressed. Your faith has to be strong. You need to grow up for that needed strength so you can over come when its needed. My feeling is that death and dying should always come along with growth and trying. You never give up on life. As long as you have breath you must praise the Lord as scripture tells us. In other words, you keep growing, you keep trying, and you make your last breaths as important as your first breaths. When God is done with you, then you can die, and experience eternity with Him. If you aren’t dead, then He is not done. Growing continues in you for as long as you are on this earth. Keep seeking, looking, striving, and trying. God is going to use you and you are going to learn some new things. Count on it, right up to the end. --Pastor Rob
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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Remembering Soldiers
I was thinking of Memorial Day, and how so many have given up their lives to help provide a better life. In the Army of God, we too are military-minded soldiers, fighting for a cause. We want to establish a legacy for our future sons and daughters. Dr. Patrick Morley attacks this question: How can you and I achieve such a legacy? Here are a few ideas to consider.... Idea #1: Decide What Is Important and Write It Down Make a list of what you think is most important, frame it, and hang it where you will see it regularly. Twenty-five years ago I did just that. I made a list of my ten most important philosophies, values, and beliefs. They hang on a wall in my office in plain view.... What’s Important? • To love God and His Son, Jesus Christ. • To keep family life as our highest priority after God. • To invest in people and relationships. • To think and act with integrity. • To pursue excellence in every undertaking. • To express gratitude whenever possible. • To lead a disciplined, prudent life. • To acquire wisdom in humility and the fear of the Lord. • To trust God completely and not worry about life’s many cares. • To live by setting and working toward realistic goals. These are the standards by which I have measured my life. These are the particular ways I have articulated my understanding of the Bible. Since a legacy is what you leave behind, for me a lasting legacy is everyone in my family loving and serving Christ. That’s first and foremost. Second, a lasting legacy is to have invited as many as possible to join us in eternal life. A distant third might be to have someone stand at my funeral and proclaim, “He did what he said was important. He loved the Lord and his family. He invested his life into people and relationships. His life displayed the integrity, excellence, and gratitude which he prized. He led a disciplined life, pursuing wisdom and humility in faith. And he was a hard worker. And also, he was content, at peace, and joyful.” What’s on your list? What are the ingredients of your lasting legacy? Try it. Make a list. You can frame and hang it, or you can put it on a piece of paper that you leave in your Bible. The more you look at it, the more impact it will have on your thinking. Idea #2: Make Memories Frankly, I do not remember many of the routines of my childhood. Do you? Instead, I remember the special occasions and memorable experiences. I remember crabbing off a bridge with a chicken neck on a string, being the king of my sixth grade class, surf fishing with my family at the beach, and shooting a rabbit that didn’t die right away. Spend time with your children. Love is spelled T – I – M – E. I dated my children. Every Tuesday night I took one of them out for dinner and an activity. My son liked go carts. My daughter liked the mall. They both loved being with their dad. My adult son told me, “Dad, I want to have a job like you did because I can never remember you missing a single one of my games, and I want to do that for my kids too.” Kids remember the funniest things, but they all remember that time = love. Vacations are show stoppers in the memory bank. That’s because they break with routine. They’re special memories. The brain secretes chemicals that burn special experiences into our brains—bad as well as good. Be sure to make vacations different and special. Another growing up memory of mine was of wanting to know God. As an altar boy, I used to pour over the prayers hoping that I would experience the presence of God. One childhood memory I definitely do not have is that of receiving Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord. How different might life have been if I had responded to the gospel at an early age? Make sure to make the gospel known to your children from their youngest age. That’s the one memory that will most alter their lives. Ideas #3: Practice Spiritual Disciplines A legacy doesn’t just happen; it takes diligence, forethought, planning, and execution. One of the oldest traditions of Christian faith is the practice of spiritual disciplines. The spiritual disciplines are how we keep our lives focused on the ingredients of a lasting legacy. Spiritual disciplines do nothing to improve your record with God—that’s what Christ did on the Cross. But they do deepen and enrich our spiritual lives. There are many lists of the disciplines, each somewhat different. My top 12 includes creation, the Bible, prayer, worship, the Sabbath, fellowship, counsel, fasting, spiritual warfare, stewardship, service, and evangelism. Almost any Christian virtue or duty can be turned into a discipline. Spiritual disciplines will help get you where you want to go—to a lasting legacy. Here are four disciplines that are on my “must do” list. 1. Be part of a disciple-making church. The mission is, “Go and make disciples.” If you are not in a church that’s focused on the mission you’re in the wrong place. 2. Read the Bible for yourself. The Bible is God speaking to us. You will not grow deeply until you set aside quiet times when, without interruptions and distractions, you can tune your ears to hear the speech of God. 3. Participate in a men’s small group. Couples groups are good, but there is an unparalleled bond that develops in a men’s small group. In our experience, most meaningful change takes place in the context of small group relationships. 4. Pray for your wife, and, if possible, with her. Easily the number one issue facing men is that marriages are not working correctly. One of the most powerful solutions is to pray for and with your wife. Why not give these ideas a try? A list of what’s really important to you reviewed regularly, a plan to make memories with your children, and a commitment to practice spiritual disciplines. These may not be all of the ingredients of a lasting legacy, but they seem more than adequate to assemble a wife, your children, your pastor, and forty friends. Dr. Patrick Morley After building one of Florida’s 100 largest privately held companies, in 1991, Dr. Patrick Morley founded Man in the Mirror, a non-profit organization to help men find meaning and purpose in life. Dr. Morley is the bestselling author of "The Man in the Mirror", "No Man Left Behind", "Dad in the Mirror", and "A Man’s Guide to the Spiritual Disciplines".
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Friday, April 17, 2009

On Getting Stung
1 Corinthians 15:55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. Once you are stung a few times and you know how it feels, and you realize that you are going to fully recover, getting stung is not that big a deal. No victory is attained. Life goes on. My first experience around bees was one of the worst. It happened in the apiary yards of the University of Georgia in the early spring of 1978. The post-graduate student and I were checking about 40 hives located on both sides of a creek in a wooded area. I had never checked this many hives before. Being a novice, I was willing to learn. The first hive started out okay, but because of the overcast weather, the cold, and the lack of nectar, the bees began to get aggressive early on. We were veiled to protect our faces, but gloves were conducive for disease spread, so we worked bare handed. The stings started up after the third or fourth hive. We found the queen, looked for brood, checked for disease, and fed them sugar water to increase the brood rearing. In the time it took for each hive we got one, two, or three stings a piece. At one point we stopped to wash our hands in the cold water of the creek. My thoughts were a jumble of fears, doubts, conviction, and determination. Being a young dad of two, freshly out of the Air Force, and a graduate student, I had a job to do. I had to do it. I resolved myself to push through and do what was needed, regardless of the pain or discomfort. To this day I am not too sure how many stings I got, maybe 50, possibly more. The next day, my hands were swollen up and looked like hot dogs instead of fingers. I lived though. My hands recovered. I was eventually put in charge of the college apiary, and I received many more stings, but they didn’t affect me. Death should have a similar affect on our lives. It might shake us up, and maybe generate some fear or confusion. However, Jesus has washed our sins away so the sting of death has no power. Sin has no power. Jesus has transcended the law by His love. He provides, with His death and resurrected life, a New Covenant. The spiritual impact is beyond imagination. Both here on earth and for all eternity, LIFE is with us. Life on earth is being filled with His Spirit, doing His will, and obeying His directions. Then, life with Jesus to reign with Him in a heavenly domain. Yes, it is beyond imagination. And for death…? What of it? Well, once you are stung a few times and you know how it feels, and you realize that you are going to fully recover, getting stung is not that big a deal. No victory is attained. Life goes on. — Pastor Rob
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Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Spiritual Disease, Spiritual War
War and disease go hand-in-hand. Historically, as much death and destruction comes from disease as it does from the actual enemy. As soldiers in the Army of God, have you taken preventive measures to keep spiritual disease from getting the best of what you have? In the Civil War of this United States, the Union armies had from 2,500,000 to 2,750,000 men. Their losses, by the best estimates were: Battle deaths: 110,070 Disease, etc.: 250,152 Total 360,222 The Confederate strength, known less accurately because of missing records, was from 750,000 to 1,250,000. Its estimated losses: Battle deaths: 94,000 Disease, etc.: 164,000 Total 258,000 In a spiritual battle, what are spiritual diseases that one could incur? Here is my list: Confusion, Anxiety, Depression, Despair, Hopelessness, Fear, Mediocrity, Disbelief, Unbelief, Giving up, Giving in, No future, Fruitlessness, Feelings of futility. Basically, anything that will keep you out of the active force is a spiritual disease that will debilitate, hobble, and neutralize. In addition, this occupies the strengths and resources of God's Army. After all, we aren't going to shoot our wounded or eat our dead, like so many unbelievers might think. No, we are going to reach out, and hold on, and not let go. It takes effort, and time, which could be used in evangelizing. However, our brothers and sisters in the Lord are important to us, and we love them. We have to stick together, and trust God to keep us well so we can show His love in full strength. And have victory! Stay well! Do some preventive health measures by reading the Word regularly and staying in fellowship with your "squad" (that would be your cell group or care group). It is important. More important than you might know. You will stay well and be fit to fight; to love that is!
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Monday, March 2, 2009

A Warrior in the Army of God
1 Chronicles 12:8 Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the desert. They were brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear. Their faces were the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles in the mountains. The Army of God has some qualities that would make them a formidable opponent at any time and in any place. You might relate as a warrior in God's Army. Do you see any of these qualities in you? --- 1. Defecting to the Righteous side. Many have been to the dark side. They know it is not only dark, but evil, and full of treachery. If a true warrior wants anything, it is to know that they are fighting (and dying) for a good cause. No one wants their life wasted, but instead to have it given for a good purpose. What better purpose than to spread the Word of God and exemplify Jesus Christ? 2. Brave. Many times we hear throughout the Word to be STRONG and COURAGEOUS. How does bravery come? Is it genetic? Is it learned? Do we have to get into battle to find it, or is it always there laying dormant and prepared? In hearing and reading testimonies, the bravery is in overcoming the fear. Not letting fear dominate your decisions, will demonstrate courage. 3. Warrior. A man or woman like this has a fighting spirit. They are going to arise to the occasion, and will be prepared to fight the good fight. The battle is not shirked. Ready. Not a retired warrior, and not one that will take some time to get prepared, but a warrior from the Army of God is one who can go into battle instantly. They are organized planners. They are looking for possible contingencies and how to attack. They have more of a tendency to go forward than to go backwards. 4. Able. That means capable. Each person is trained and has talent for warfare. In other words, it is true when said that God equips the called, and not necessarily calling the equipped. 5. Faces set. This is an interesting observation to me, for appearance is apparently important. It denotes a determination to accomplish the mission. The objective is clear and no extraneous matters are considered. 6. Swift. Fast, but with a certain speedy flair. An Army of God warrior will move over spiritual terrain quickly, with an eye on the goal, and ready to overcome obstacles.
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Saturday, November 22, 2008

Jesus in Your Home
Is He still standing outside on your porch where you can occasionally talk with Him, but He is far enough out of the way so you can still have control over your home? You can do things and have things in your home if Jesus isn't involved too much. Less conviction exists when Jesus is on the outside. Maybe you have asked Jesus into the hallway (for a casual, but temporary chat), or moved Him to the garage (for traveling plans), or to the attic (for those just-in-case times), or to the den (for entertainment and fun), or to the living room (for an occasional serious conversation). Maybe you put Jesus in the bedroom (for peace at night) or the laundry room (for a once-a-week cleansing). Maybe you have Him only in the kitchen so you can say grace over your meals. Of course, you could just keep Him in your bathroom to ..... well, He moves in a lot of ways. The point here is not to get Jesus in one place of your home or the other. The point is to emphasize that Jesus needs to be (and stressing the word NEEDS to be) in every area of your home. He should have the special place in all aspects of your home, and not as an occasional adviser or acquaintance. He wants to rule and reign in your life. He wants to comfort your slumber and greet you in the morning; to feed you well, and give you joy in the morning. To entertain you with His goodness. To comfort you in your sorrow, deliver you in your weakness, and counsel you in your distress. He would love to be your bank advisor and business manager. In your sitting down and your getting up, He would thrill at having the Name of the Lord regularly praised. Every action, every word, every thought could be held captive by the Lord. After all, He is the organizer and planner, the counselor and comforter, the mover and shaker. He wants to have your home be a haven for His righteousness. He wants you victorious over sin, and FREE! The home is a good place to start. Your whole home. Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Butterfly Effect
BUTTERFLY EFFECT. According to Wikipedia, "The phrase refers to the idea that a butterfly's wings might create tiny changes in the atmosphere that may ultimately alter the path of a tornado or delay, accelerate or even prevent the occurrence of a tornado in a certain location. The flapping wing represents a small change in the initial condition of the system, which causes a chain of events leading to large-scale alterations of events." Cool idea. My son, Bryan, mentioned it as Bev and I were doing a team-teaching on coming into agreement. Bev made the comment that we are making life-changing decisions every day every moment of our lives. She is right. I believe a type of butterfly effect occurs with all decisions. Even small decisions can have monumental, cataclysmic consequences. Does it freeze you with fear thinking about it? Well, don't. That is exactly what evil would want from you. We can't be paralyzed into immobility. Instead we have to trust God, and move out. However, it is so very important to make righteous decisions. We must make decisions that exemplify our first seeking the kingdom of God. Decisions that are based on helping us draw closer to the Lord. Decisions that are devoid of selfishness, greed, pride, or other forms of immorality. Then, we can stand strong and say, "Our God is faithful God." The fruit of our decisions will come forth. The tornado will be averted. The earthquake will be only a slight shudder.
posted at 07:43PM	comments

Friday, August 22, 2008

An Unimportant Relationship?
On August 11, 2008 at 1:45 a.m., my dad passed away quietly. He had been unconscious for several days, and no one was in his room when he died. However, when he left, my mom woke up from the other room, and went to go check on him. He was still warm even after she got me out of bed. I lost bits and pieces of my dad as a result of Multiple Sclerosis diagnosed in him back in the late 1960s. In spite of that disease, he lived to be 93. He hardly ever complained. We had a good relationship. He was a good dad, and he raised me with a lot of love and a good amount of discipline. We never had a "falling out" or a long term disagreement. I'm going to miss him. Life, and the very essence of life, evolves around relationships. Take a man or a woman who is content to work, to even be "work-aholics", and see what happens when something catastrophic takes place. Maybe they lose their jobs, get deathly sick, or a loved one dies. The relationships always come together for support, love, understanding, camaraderie, consolation, or just for keeping away the loneliness. Misery does love company as the saying goes. However, many of the people I encounter and talk to are going through life so proud, so self-centered, and so shallow that most of the time they are overlooking the importance of relationships. Why do people have to experience 9-11, war, cancer, death, or some other loss in order to recognize the awesomeness of the relationships around them? Many times, to make matters worse, we also "burn the bridges" of the very relationships we later so deeply desire. And, these "bridges" are burned over minor, minuscule, worthless disagreements, which probably caused unforgiveness on one or both parties. I got an e-mail from a man in Washington DC who was in the process of a divorce. I was trying to help him, then the twin towers were destroyed, and the Pentagon was hit. I lost contact with him for awhile, but later got an updated email. He had been close to the Pentagon explosion. For hours his wife did not know if he was alive or dead. For hours he was trying to get in touch with her to tell her how he had been spared. Many see the cherished importance of relationships only when they are gone. Some have near-misses, and recognize them soon enough to initiate a course change. Some stay deceived, self-absorbed, ignorant. Some get a break. Like the guy at the Pentagon and his wife. They tore up the divorce papers. This tendency to break up seems to be everywhere. It rears up in churches all the time. I call it a "divorce mentality." I guess if I wanted to get really spiritual I would call it a divorce spirit, but I'm not sure there is such a spirit. Suffice it to say that relationships are essential for a good quality of life. Consider each one as important, very important. What about an unimportant relationship you may ask? Such a one does not exist.
posted at 08:35AM	comments

Monday, July 21, 2008

Recovery Room Vision
“Mr. Stevenson, wake up, can you hear me?” Those were the words that stirred me out of my unconsciousness as I sensed myself being wheeled into the recovery room. I was thirsty; my thumb and two fingers were asleep. I felt really groggy. Coming in and out of consciousness, I had a sense of being awake but still in a dream. I found myself in a vision, and not just "seeing" it. I was actually in it. I was a part of it. I stood in a huge green pasture, but it was more than a pasture. It was a totally manicured lawn on rolling hills that stretched for maybe a mile. The scene reflected the beauty of nature, but hands had taken a part in forming it. The grass, immaculately trimmed, showed no weeds or blemish. On the periphery of this huge lawn was the beginning of a great forest. Green and lush it appeared to me, though I was seeing it from a distance. The sun was out in full force, but it wasn’t hot, and it wasn’t hard on the eyes. No clouds were evident, only a clear, blue sky. Everything was beautiful. It was a simple beauty, nothing extravagant; and it was very peaceful. The air was very still, but yet fresh; not stagnant. Everything looked like a rain had just fallen, although nothing was wet. It seems like I marveled and admired the landscape for some time. The sight cannot be adequately explained with mere words. Then, I saw a man in his mid-30s, standing about 15 feet away from me. He was trim, fit, and very well dressed. He was just standing there with his hands by his sides, not at attention, but as though he was going to have his picture taken. Or, he was waiting for a ceremony to begin, and he was one of the participants. Neither one of those seemed to fit because I saw no camera equipment, and I saw no ceremonial trimmings. His hair was combed back. His face was shaved. He wore no glasses. He looked familiar to me. He wore a suit that was light-colored and had small, slightly darker pinstripes in it. His dress shoes were clean and polished. No unwarranted wrinkle, or crease, or stain, or spot could be seen in his suit. It looked perfect. He looked perfect. I remember thinking how odd to see a well-dressed person like that standing outside, on a huge lawn. Then, I realized that person could be me. He looked something like me, only younger and with hair. I started to believe that it was me, when I experienced a quick change of perspective, like a camera flash with the shutter closing for a split second, then opening. I found I was looking down, seeing the lower part of my own body, as though I too was standing in this beautiful place. I had on dress pants, with shined, dress shoes. In a camera-like flash I was again looking at that other person, then another camera-like flash and I was looking down again at myself. Was I going in and out of my body? What’s happening here? I wasn't sure. Without hearing the explanation, I realized with some wonder and amazement that I could be in heaven. “Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Stevenson, how are you feeling? Would you like some ice chips? Are you feeling any pain? Can you hear me okay?” I was being verbally prodded back into reality. In about an hour and a half I found myself home, shoulder all trussed up and still numb. I’m not sure why I walked into the living room, but when I did my eyes fell upon some pictures that Bev had salvaged from a seldom visited bookshelf in a corner of our bedroom. In one of the pictures was my dad: mid-thirties, hair combed back, clean-shaven, no glasses, well dressed. How long had it been since I had seen that picture? 10 years? 15? The vision I was in came flooding into my memory! That was who I saw when I was in the vision. What did it mean? Why did I have that experience? Was that my dad, or two views of me, or the representation of my Father God? Was I in and out of death, or having a drug-induced, hallucinogenic dream? As I prayed and contemplated this vision, I sensed an answer. It's an answer too personal to share totally, but I have shared this much because to me it speaks about the love of God and His spiritual connection to us, made possible through His Son, Jesus. Our journey on this earth is only the beginning.
posted at 07:55AM	comments

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Freedom Story
No better feeling exists than to realize one day that you are free. One of my biggest moments of freedom came about while I was in the Chiefs’ Club at Subic Naval Station, Philippines. It was a farewell party for one of the officers and we had been invited to have it at the Chiefs’ Club. I was in charge of paying for the officer’s meal. The money was in hand and it seemed like things were winding up, but I was sorely mistaken. A skit started on the stage, and I found myself hemmed in with tables and chairs all around, and located right next to the stage. If I had wanted a good view, no better place could be had. Unfortunately, the skit took an immediate turn towards vulgarity. The ladies had next to nothing on, and what they did have was shear enough to leave nothing to the imagination. I was trapped; but not enslaved or chained. I pushed the money to one of the other officers, and excused myself, climbing over tables and chairs to make a somewhat ungraceful, though totally successful, exit. I remember walking out the doors, into some sunshine, and everything feeling so good. A feeling of freedom, of being victorious over the lures of the enemy, of keeping my virtue strong, my mind clear, and my standards high. The sun felt great on my face. I didn’t care how I looked to the chiefs and officers in the club. I was free! I made a decision and I know the Lord was pleased with it. That was all that mattered. That next Sunday, after Chapel, I saw the Executive Officer of the Hospital. One of my bosses. He had been there at the club. I walked across the lawn towards him. My intention was not to apologize for my actions, but to let him know how someone’s decision to go to that club was totally inappropriate. He stopped me before I could get a word out. “I’m sorry, Rob. I saw what you did and you were right. We are not doing that again. I'm sorry for what happened." Freedom! It's a great way to live.
posted at 04:34PM	comments

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Why is Peace like a River?
That song keeps going through my head: “I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river. I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.” Unless you are over 40, you might not have heard it, but what does a river have to do with peace? Several things come to mind as I consider that question. Rivers feel peaceful. The sight of a river is easy on the eyes. It is pleasant to look upon. It just feels peaceful. A river shows you life, such as deer, squirrels, birds, as well as fish and other aquatic life. Plants do well around rivers, too. Such an expression of life comes with abundance and prosperity. I think it adds to the peaceful feeling we experience as we gaze upon a river. My mom and dad always enjoyed camping at the Trail of Tears State Park along the Mississippi River in Missouri. They would sit out there and read, and watch the boats go by. Even without the boats, movement was continuous as the water just flowed and flowed. Rivers provide life. As already mentioned, life abounds around a river. Population centers get established and flourish along the banks of rivers. For one thing, water is plentiful. Since all life has a common bond in their need for water, it stands to reason that plentiful water will attract plentiful life. A peace exists in this center of life. Maybe it has to do with another symbolism of the Holy Spirit being rivers of living water (John 7:38 -NAS- "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'") The peace comes from the fact that life is being fed a life-giving sustenance. It is plentiful, not meager. It is fresh and healthy, not stale or disease-ridden. When basic needs are being met in a complete and sustaining way, then peace can rest on you. This is a key to the peace received in salvation, and with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Living water is getting poured into a thirsty spirit and soul. Peace is a product of that living water. Rivers transport. Population centers for early America started off along rivers. People, supplies, and equipment could be moved more efficiently when using the power of the flowing river. Peace like a river is a peace that flows on and on, transporting us through every anxious moment and fearful happenstance. A stationary peace has no place in our lives. It has to be moving. When we need it, we have it; peace like a river. Peace like a river in our soul.
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Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Doing Things with Dad
I have a lot of fond memories of doing things with my dad. He got me interested in mechanics. We rebuilt the engine on a 1960 Ford Falcon together. The car was about 8 years old, and I was about 17. What a job that was! I remember when he sometimes borrowed this open air trailer for taking things to the dump. I loved to ride in that trailer. Dad would usually take me around the block in it. I would hold on and imagine all kinds of neat things about flying or catching bad guys. He told me one time that I refused to get out . I was about 5. I threw myself down on the floor of the trailer and then threw a huge tantrum. Dad walked over to the Camphor tree while I was kicking and screaming, cut himself a sturdy branch; and came back swinging. He asked me one time if I remembered that episode. I didn’t. I think my mind blanked it out, but Dad said I never acted like that again. Something in me remembered. Maybe it was my rear. At about the age of 11 or 12, I woke up early on a Saturday morning and while getting the morning paper, I discovered this huge turtle in the yard. I was intrigued. I went up to touch it and about got my finger grabbed. Alligator turtles will do that. This thing was huge! It warranted a wake up call for dad and mom, a two alarm emergency. Dad played with it for a little while, and managed to get it so riled up that no one was safe in the yard. He ended up shooting it with his .22 rifle. Definitely a great Saturday. I was about 10 or 11 when I started sitting up in the front seat of the car. I remember the day. It was kind of like the beginning of manhood. Dad and I were going to get Krystal hamburgers. That was the only “fast food” around in Jacksonville, Florida, in the early 60s. One hamburger was five cents, but you could eat one in about three bites. On trips in the car, my brother and I always rode in the back. I remember Dad saying, “Robby, why don’t you sit up front here with me. You’re old enough.” It dawned on me that I had never done this, or even thought of it. I murmured something like, “Sure,” and climbed into the front. I even had to look for the door handle so I could close the door. It was located a little differently than the back. I definitely started feeling like a man. It’s amazing how little things like that will stick with you. It was obviously a big deal at the time, and I’m not sure my dad even realized how big it was. He didn’t have to realize it. He was just being a dad. That was all that mattered.
posted at 07:52AM	comments

Monday, May 12, 2008

Roots are Essential
The cut logs were stacked nice and neat, and leaves were coming out from around the bark. "What a valiant effort," I thought, brushing on an anthropomorphic color to this unusual "painting" of nature. No roots, but leaves just the same. I deduced that the tree was cut down just as the sap was starting to move. The roots, when it had roots, had gotten some of the nutrients re-located into the trunk. Events took another turn when the tree was sawed down and the roots eliminated. Now, the nutrients were making the leaves. The leaves were getting ready to convert more energy from the sun into life-giving carbohydrates. However, the end result looks dismal. At some point, the process breaks down. No fruit with no root. In Jeremiah 17:8, the NIV says, He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Without roots, the tree produces no fruit, and ultimately ceases being a tree. Roots are not only important, they are essential. They are mandatory. I pray you have your spiritual roots well grounded, deep in rich soil, and plenty of water. You need those roots. People don't admire roots because they can't see them. No one will see your Bible reading, your prayers, your repentance, your wrestling with the powers and principalities of this world. Some will see your giving, your cell group attendance, and your worship on Sunday. Most won't. These are the "roots" of a disciple of Christ. Grow them out long, and put them down deep. In time, these roots will grow some wonderful leaves, and some mighty good fruit. Get rooted! Matt 13:21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. (NIV)
posted at 05:53PM	comments

Friday, May 2, 2008

Helping those who sin
I struggled with the title of this blog. It stems from the last episode we had last week of police coming to the Relevant Concert show and closing it down. Acts 2 Church wants to help the sinners. We think it is a good idea to have friendship evangelism up close and personal. Jesus was like that. He had dinner with people that were considered the outcasts of society. Seems like they thought he was a good guy all around. They knew that Jesus cared. Today, one of the primary ways we can show we care is to show we care. I emphasize "show". Sinners need to see the proof of our caring. Let me digress from this point a moment. >>> I even hesitate using the word "sinners" to describe people who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, because Christians sin. We are all sinners. However, the difference is in the relationship. Christ-lovers are saved from the heavenly consequences of their sin. Others must face not only the earthly consequences (as we all must do), but also the heavnely ones. <<< Okay, so we all sin, but the Christ-lovers should be showing their care to the ones who do not know or love Christ. Pastor Mike from Harvest Assembly is doing just that. He has a great heart for it. His compassion far outweighs mine. It's monster compassion. He loves them, truly. I admit, I don't have the same feelings when I see them spit gum on my sidewalk, punch holes in my bathroom wall, or graffiti a wall. Pastor Mike on the other hand has a unique and uncompromising forgiveness. He knows their hurts. He knows the suicide temptations, the cutters, the eating disorders, the ones from the latest divorce, the drug addictions, the run-aways, and the sexually active. These kids are the socially outcast people of the day. They might as well have leprosy. Someone is reaching out. With that reach comes sinners. Some are searching, some are ready to cause trouble. It's hard to separate the searchers from the trouble-makers. So, when trouble comes, it gets dealt with; and additional provisions are made to keep the same thing from happening in the future. Why don't more churches do this?
posted at 11:51AM	comments

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Eating the Word
Take a look and listen to this youtube video. What does it bring to mind? Two things come to mind for me. One is how the world probably relates to some of the things the are in the Bible. "Taste and see that the Lord is good." What's up with that? To me, it is a simple and deep truth about getting close to God. A second matter coming to mind is how we as Christians relate to each other. Of course, it's not as bad as the video displays, or is it. My question to this is: "Where's the love?" We need to recognize that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, our Risen Lord who died for our sins. With this single purpose and belief, we can establish a lot of unity. The Body of Christ need not be at odds with herself. Eat the Word and let it nourish your body and soul. Amen?
posted at 07:56PM	comments

Thursday, March 20, 2008

He Came Back!!!
My son, Mark, and his lovely wife, Rebecca, along with their little buckaroo, Liam stayed a few nights with us last week. They were without water for awhile in their house. They also brought along Lady, a Chesapeake Retriever. I took Lady out jogging a couple of times. On our second time out I tied her to a pole on the basketball court while I did some pull-ups on a nearby bar. All of a sudden she just started barking. I had never heard her bark like that before. This was different. She was only a couple of feet away, but she was tied to the pole and she knew it. She wanted to be tied to me. She wanted me to come back. I did, and that made her happy. Aren’t our spirits the same way with our Lord? We are tied to this earth and our spirits want to be tied with Jesus. One day, He came to earth, and for a few years many had the opportunity to actually walk and talk with Him. How devastating it most have been to have him taken away. Once again His Presence was lost to all. And, had that been the end, we would indeed have been lost... Forever tied to that proverbial pole and enslaved. And we would know it. We would want much more to be tied to Jesus, our spirits with His Spirit. Thankfully, He came back! Hallelujah! And that has made us happy, eternally. Matthew 28:6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
posted at 06:46AM	comments

Monday, March 10, 2008

Super Powers
Taking the grandsons home, Jaron mentioned doing a "Powerman and Greenrunner" story. These men received super powers when they ate some peanuts that had been charged with electrical and nuclear power. Powerman is super strong and with an internal power that he can use. Greenrunner is fast, and can use the sun to take the form of plants, and even talk to the plants. Princess Chlora uses flower smells to put bad guys to sleep. Glucose Guy uses sticky sugar to catch bad guys or even feed hungry children. My wife, Bev was the "female butler", as Jaron (my grandson) called her, "or whatever you call a 'female butler' ", he said. Bev lamented that she was never given a super power. Jaron said, "We can give you a super power, Mema." Bev continues her pity party about how everyone else has a super power, but not her. Jaron speaks reassuringly and positively to his mema, "Mema, you can get a super power. Something. We can think of something. (Pause) What about nagging power?" Well, okay, maybe that's not the best. However, LOVE is the “super power” of God as seen through Jesus. You have it. God’s super power is in you. It's love!
posted at 06:48PM	comments

Saturday, March 8, 2008

My students
I was smiling, as I usually do in most all situations (whether cheerful or grim). I calmly wrote out the demerit for Mr. Smith's 20 minute bathroom break (I usually call my students by their last name), and handed it to him for his signature. Another student was observing this exchange, and apparently noted my smile. So he asked, "Mr. Stevenson, do you enjoy giving demerits? You probably like that, don't you?" "Well," came my answer, "I guess there is some deep, sadistic, inner consciousness that revels in the consequences of a well-placed demerit." This was followed by a brief pause and the student's response, "And there you go using a bunch of words we can't even understand, and we don't even know what you're talking about." “And there you go,” I echoed, “yet another good reason to stay in school and learn.” I think this student got a strong hint that knowledge has a certain power. He needed it. Is the Lord telling you something you don’t understand? Open your Bible. Read it. Stay in it and learn. His knowledge is the real power. Hope to see you Sunday!
posted at 08:30AM	comments

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Before Christ
The BC days were up to about age 30 for me. I had been to church many times. Actually, I was a Methodist youth president and very active. I just didn't know Jesus, that's all. I had it all, but I didn't have anything, because Jesus is all there is. One day, in my early start in the Navy, it dawned on me that I was going to live and die, and that was going to be it. I really to depressed. That started my search for the eternal life that the Lord Jesus offers.
posted at 08:26AM	comments