Neil T. Anderson wrote a book called Bondage Breaker. Christians should check it out. Last Night at New Heights we went through step four of the seven steps to freedom. I can email the notes to anyone who posts a comment requesting them or message me on Facebook(tm).
Anyway, Step four is about submitting to authority. People don't like to so it. We are trained by the world to be rebellious. We even start thinking if we aren't rebellious we can't be our own person.
Trust me, you don't want to me your own person. You want to be God's. His stuff lasts.
Anyway, we went through an exercise thinking about where we have failed to submit to authority. I found several in my own life. It turns out-and I should have known this-that when you do not submit to the authorities that God has placed in your life you are opening an avenue for Satan and evil spirits to get at you. It makes perfect sense since God said that rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft when Saul was being denounced.
I want to submit myself to the authorities in my life and I made that commitment yesterday and last night. If you see me not submitting. I give you the permission to mention it.
It's serious. Satan is a rebel against God's system. How about you?
Pastor Dan Stevenson
www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Crunch Time
I've always performed well when the chips were down, crunch time, at the wire, at the last minute, under deadline... etc. Does it say anything that we have so many ways of saying it?
Now it seems that I've orchestrated (under God's leadership) my life so that almost everything happens like this. I know when my theoretical productive time is. I know what needs to be done but I seem to have difficulty lining up the two.
A person has a period during any given day when they are most 'on.' This is their productive time. It has many factors in it but it will be when you feel the most alive or awake and when you can get the most done. If you bounce your sleep schedule all around you can hardly find your productive time and in some cases it pretty well ceases to exist. So, sleep roughly the same eight hours evey night and look for that time of day when your at your best and put the most demanding things in that time. Your life will be better for it.
Where was I? Oh yes, crunch time.
Oh and by the way. Cap'n Crunch cereal rocks. The crispiness must be good for your teeth and I am assured that if you brush and floss regularly the sugar won't hurt your teeth. Consider that cereal has more vitamins in it than say, veggies and it begins to look like a good snack. However, we must remember that there are those nasty calories and oils. Some say calories unused make you fat-hmmm could be... Oils coat your taste buds and makes you like other foods less-some of which are healthy too (This is one opinion but may prove true through scientific research as well.) So go ahead live a little, eat some sugar cereal, brush and floss regularly and keep eating other healthy foods as well.
Crunch time. The joys and freedom thereof. If it's due when the time comes to turn it in-whatever you have managed to do will be good enough. If it's needed then when the time comes to be done whatever you have done will be appreciated. It's heart pumping, mind-racing speed that accomplishes the task in the last few seconds or even on the last day.
Procrastination is a sin. Planning a set time to do something and to stick to your plan and do it is not necessarily a sin unless you have decided to put things out of order of importance. When God says to do something you should not plan a time in the future but do it immediately. Unless of course His command comes with a schedule. Anyway, after being issued a command any delay is disobedience. That being said, people put off everything it seems. I rarely do this anymore (procrastinate I mean.) I figure I'll get around to it though...
Back to crunch time: I enjoy a fast pace in almost everything I do. My mind was built for speed-and sometimes functions like a train wreck. Usually, by the time I sort out what it is that I was doing from what it is that I'm supposed to be doing, I have very little time left before 'On-time' passes me by.
There are exceptions: Everything that I am certain God has given me to do must come before everything that I am figuring on doing. Lots of stuff falls through the cracks this way but I figure God knows what He's doing and I really don't-I mean I REALLY don't. So, better Him than me.
So, if you find yourself spending most of your life in crunch time-I wouldn't worry too much about it. maybe you were built that way-However, never let your need for speed interfere with your need for obedience.
They say: If you really want something done you've got to do it yourself. I say, If God really wants something done, all He should have to do is point me in the right direction.
Yes! I am a loaded weapon for the Lord! "Go Jesus! Go Jesus! Go Jesus! " -now read this again and sort of chant it or make a song or something. Add a little hip shift and circle your arms like you just don't care. But, you are a loaded weapon for the Lord because you do care.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have something that I am supposed to be getting done and I'm running out of time...
Pastor Dan
newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
originally 12/8/10 1137AM
Now it seems that I've orchestrated (under God's leadership) my life so that almost everything happens like this. I know when my theoretical productive time is. I know what needs to be done but I seem to have difficulty lining up the two.
A person has a period during any given day when they are most 'on.' This is their productive time. It has many factors in it but it will be when you feel the most alive or awake and when you can get the most done. If you bounce your sleep schedule all around you can hardly find your productive time and in some cases it pretty well ceases to exist. So, sleep roughly the same eight hours evey night and look for that time of day when your at your best and put the most demanding things in that time. Your life will be better for it.
Where was I? Oh yes, crunch time.
Oh and by the way. Cap'n Crunch cereal rocks. The crispiness must be good for your teeth and I am assured that if you brush and floss regularly the sugar won't hurt your teeth. Consider that cereal has more vitamins in it than say, veggies and it begins to look like a good snack. However, we must remember that there are those nasty calories and oils. Some say calories unused make you fat-hmmm could be... Oils coat your taste buds and makes you like other foods less-some of which are healthy too (This is one opinion but may prove true through scientific research as well.) So go ahead live a little, eat some sugar cereal, brush and floss regularly and keep eating other healthy foods as well.
Crunch time. The joys and freedom thereof. If it's due when the time comes to turn it in-whatever you have managed to do will be good enough. If it's needed then when the time comes to be done whatever you have done will be appreciated. It's heart pumping, mind-racing speed that accomplishes the task in the last few seconds or even on the last day.
Procrastination is a sin. Planning a set time to do something and to stick to your plan and do it is not necessarily a sin unless you have decided to put things out of order of importance. When God says to do something you should not plan a time in the future but do it immediately. Unless of course His command comes with a schedule. Anyway, after being issued a command any delay is disobedience. That being said, people put off everything it seems. I rarely do this anymore (procrastinate I mean.) I figure I'll get around to it though...
Back to crunch time: I enjoy a fast pace in almost everything I do. My mind was built for speed-and sometimes functions like a train wreck. Usually, by the time I sort out what it is that I was doing from what it is that I'm supposed to be doing, I have very little time left before 'On-time' passes me by.
There are exceptions: Everything that I am certain God has given me to do must come before everything that I am figuring on doing. Lots of stuff falls through the cracks this way but I figure God knows what He's doing and I really don't-I mean I REALLY don't. So, better Him than me.
So, if you find yourself spending most of your life in crunch time-I wouldn't worry too much about it. maybe you were built that way-However, never let your need for speed interfere with your need for obedience.
They say: If you really want something done you've got to do it yourself. I say, If God really wants something done, all He should have to do is point me in the right direction.
Yes! I am a loaded weapon for the Lord! "Go Jesus! Go Jesus! Go Jesus! " -now read this again and sort of chant it or make a song or something. Add a little hip shift and circle your arms like you just don't care. But, you are a loaded weapon for the Lord because you do care.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have something that I am supposed to be getting done and I'm running out of time...
Pastor Dan
newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
originally 12/8/10 1137AM
Taking a Hit
So, Here is what I've figured out-That the anticipation of taking a hit is often worse than taking a hit. This assumes of course that the hit comes and goes or that the hitting does not continue.
Many have been through grueling physical torment that goes on and on. that's not for me to speak of except in general terms because I have never endured such.
However, when it comes to spiritual matters we are all subject to hits now and then. The enemy is tactically clever and we even expose our weaker defenses at times perhaps because we care about someone a little more than we thought or the like.
Then, it occurs to you that you might be about to take a hit and the person is not really talking about the problem...
Anticipation begins to eat at your soul. You just know this is gonna be bad. Relationship hits might be best handled like getting a shot-take a deep breath, don't hold it, and relax. When you're about to get in a car accident people do best when they assume the position in a relaxed manner.
So, what I am saying is that tensing up or fretting over a coming spiritual hit is bound to make it worse. Better, would be to leave it in God's hands and say-It's gonna be whatever it's gonna be. relax, He's got this. He told you what He can do. Just look at the hits Jesus took and He didn't want to. He prayed against the cup of wrath but He needed to in order that you and I might be set free, justified...
So, when it looks like someone is going to betray you don't overreact. Stand your ground and take the spiritual licking that you've got coming. In fact, rejoice always, again I say rejoice. Rejoice that you were determined worthy to struggle as Christ did even if only in this minor way.
In that rejoicing, maybe you will find that the worst part of the hit is defused and that you can be "happy" on a bumpy road just as much as you can be on a smooth road as long as you know that God is in the driver's seat.
Pastor Dan Stevenson
www. newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
Many have been through grueling physical torment that goes on and on. that's not for me to speak of except in general terms because I have never endured such.
However, when it comes to spiritual matters we are all subject to hits now and then. The enemy is tactically clever and we even expose our weaker defenses at times perhaps because we care about someone a little more than we thought or the like.
Then, it occurs to you that you might be about to take a hit and the person is not really talking about the problem...
Anticipation begins to eat at your soul. You just know this is gonna be bad. Relationship hits might be best handled like getting a shot-take a deep breath, don't hold it, and relax. When you're about to get in a car accident people do best when they assume the position in a relaxed manner.
So, what I am saying is that tensing up or fretting over a coming spiritual hit is bound to make it worse. Better, would be to leave it in God's hands and say-It's gonna be whatever it's gonna be. relax, He's got this. He told you what He can do. Just look at the hits Jesus took and He didn't want to. He prayed against the cup of wrath but He needed to in order that you and I might be set free, justified...
So, when it looks like someone is going to betray you don't overreact. Stand your ground and take the spiritual licking that you've got coming. In fact, rejoice always, again I say rejoice. Rejoice that you were determined worthy to struggle as Christ did even if only in this minor way.
In that rejoicing, maybe you will find that the worst part of the hit is defused and that you can be "happy" on a bumpy road just as much as you can be on a smooth road as long as you know that God is in the driver's seat.
Pastor Dan Stevenson
www. newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Evil spirits
Life is not safe. Stuff happens that is completely outside our control. God is sovereign and has authority to do whatever He pleases. Man has free-will and so can decide to do whatever he pleases. Man's free will breaks down at the place where he submits it to others.
An example: When a person joins the military. Military personnel had better submit some or all of their free will to their commanding officer or otherwise someone may wind up dead.
In non-military society persons must submit their free will to laws made for the greater good and social laws (which actually appear to be getting fewer.) But, there is much greater danger in submitting one's free will to something non-human in design. People are flawed but most realize it and know that ultimately their authority breaks down-thus they do not (where good will and reason exists) try to run you into the ground. Not so when it comes to evil spirits. Mad at God and mad at humans for being made in God's image they want to bring humans to their knees.
Evil spirits: I'll not name any and I'll not say that they are strong. In reality I think they have no power that is not gifted them by humans. They try to influence people and they can act but for a person who has submitted themselves to Jesus Christ there is always a better option-submission to Christ.
Evil spirits: Sometimes I wonder just how far this goes. I don't blieve they have any authority to stand in the face of determined faith. One said, paul I know, and Christ I know, but who are you?! Book of Acts-Bible...
An example: When a person joins the military. Military personnel had better submit some or all of their free will to their commanding officer or otherwise someone may wind up dead.
In non-military society persons must submit their free will to laws made for the greater good and social laws (which actually appear to be getting fewer.) But, there is much greater danger in submitting one's free will to something non-human in design. People are flawed but most realize it and know that ultimately their authority breaks down-thus they do not (where good will and reason exists) try to run you into the ground. Not so when it comes to evil spirits. Mad at God and mad at humans for being made in God's image they want to bring humans to their knees.
Evil spirits: I'll not name any and I'll not say that they are strong. In reality I think they have no power that is not gifted them by humans. They try to influence people and they can act but for a person who has submitted themselves to Jesus Christ there is always a better option-submission to Christ.
Evil spirits: Sometimes I wonder just how far this goes. I don't blieve they have any authority to stand in the face of determined faith. One said, paul I know, and Christ I know, but who are you?! Book of Acts-Bible...
Evil spirits: Still, they have a sort of supernatural qulality about them that is somehow enticing to mankind and our inherent desire to uncover the mysteries of the universe. This desire was of course given us to inspire our pursuit of God and the testimonies of God that the universe gives. Misused, we are enticed by their oddity and we are led into a trap.
So, the moral of the story is don't dabble. Don't glamoraize evil or think that the enemy has gotten one up on God. He never has and never will. Stand strong with the God of the universe, move when and only when He tells you to and don't sample the whares of evil. All who have have gotten caught up in the pull of such things and lost their standing in rightness until they have nothing of eternal value. And there-in lay the goal of those who eternally stand against and without God to get others trapped in the same state.
Evil Spirits:Don't dabble.
Taking a day off in the ministry
So, I've been trying to take Thursdays off for about four months now. I try every week to schedule everything I can on the other days of the week and to organize my day off to allow me to get things done. It doesn't seem to work yet.
Taking a day off in the ministry...
A week ago-I actually had several people form my ministry call me and leave me messages that began with-I know it's your day off or maybe it's your day off- But. Ordinarily, you'd think a person might shake their head but I sort of get it. God doesn't take a day off anymore and different persons in the ministry get their day off whenever their employer says not whenever they want. They need to know what they need to know to make their day off from their secular employment as productive for God as it can be. I get it. I was actually grateful for the humble spirit with which they approached me on my day off. Some others have not done so.
Taking a day off in the ministry...
So, take a day off. Even, I say avoid the phone if necessary but going with Phil 2 we all should be concerned for ourselves and our walk with Christ as well as for others and theirs. So, when your day off is interrupted by say, a subpoena or some work that you've been putting off and it just can't wait now-Don't get upset. Like many other things in this life these things too can work for God's glory. What's more, He can use them to bless you if you love Him and are called according to His purpose.
Taking a day off in the ministry...
So, make sure you viciously attack hurry in your schedule, utilize whatever systems you need to to get the time adjusted so you can actually take the time off, and then just do it. In the process, never forget that God does not have to work on your schedule.
Oh, and Thank God, Because I'd sure hate to see what the world would look like if God took a day off.
Pastor Dan Stevenson
http://www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org/
Taking a day off in the ministry...
A week ago-I actually had several people form my ministry call me and leave me messages that began with-I know it's your day off or maybe it's your day off- But. Ordinarily, you'd think a person might shake their head but I sort of get it. God doesn't take a day off anymore and different persons in the ministry get their day off whenever their employer says not whenever they want. They need to know what they need to know to make their day off from their secular employment as productive for God as it can be. I get it. I was actually grateful for the humble spirit with which they approached me on my day off. Some others have not done so.
Taking a day off in the ministry...
So, take a day off. Even, I say avoid the phone if necessary but going with Phil 2 we all should be concerned for ourselves and our walk with Christ as well as for others and theirs. So, when your day off is interrupted by say, a subpoena or some work that you've been putting off and it just can't wait now-Don't get upset. Like many other things in this life these things too can work for God's glory. What's more, He can use them to bless you if you love Him and are called according to His purpose.
Taking a day off in the ministry...
So, make sure you viciously attack hurry in your schedule, utilize whatever systems you need to to get the time adjusted so you can actually take the time off, and then just do it. In the process, never forget that God does not have to work on your schedule.
Oh, and Thank God, Because I'd sure hate to see what the world would look like if God took a day off.
Pastor Dan Stevenson
http://www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org/
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
The Cross walk
I am looking forward to the Cross walk. The people of New Heights have really put a lot of effort into getting this event together. We will have free hot dogs, cotton candy, sno cones, popcorn, moonwalks, gospel, and prizes. It's neat to see how the community has rallied about this too. The donations and the people who have committed to participate are awesome.
God the Son died for us and we are blessed enough to celebrate that event. If we lived in a nation where freedom of speech was restricted then it would be different. Someday in the U.S. it may be different. I gotta' say I don't really like the looks of some of the trends.
Anyway, if you wanna march a cross or march with us as we march a cross we'll be "festing" from 12-4 and marching around 2:15PM.
The Cross of Jesus was the emblem of suffering and shame. We do not celebrate the method of torture and death of our savior but rather it has become a symbol of the price paid and to me the death of my old self.
Daily take up your cross, deny yourself, and follow after Him.
God Bless!
Pastor Dan Stevenson
newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
God the Son died for us and we are blessed enough to celebrate that event. If we lived in a nation where freedom of speech was restricted then it would be different. Someday in the U.S. it may be different. I gotta' say I don't really like the looks of some of the trends.
Anyway, if you wanna march a cross or march with us as we march a cross we'll be "festing" from 12-4 and marching around 2:15PM.
The Cross of Jesus was the emblem of suffering and shame. We do not celebrate the method of torture and death of our savior but rather it has become a symbol of the price paid and to me the death of my old self.
Daily take up your cross, deny yourself, and follow after Him.
God Bless!
Pastor Dan Stevenson
newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
Life gets busy
The reality is the world wants to keep us so busy we'll stay exactly where we are. So, consider that the God of heaven is moving in your life and that He wants to do something especially incredible.
Check yourself-The word of God says that we should test all spirits and only approve those that recognize who Christ is.
Consider that God is not likely to throw away all the work He has done to this point because even if we have made mistakes He has not.
God often asks us to step up our game but never asks us to dismiss His. What you have done may sometimes be insignificant but what He has done never is.
Life Got busy and I missed updating this blog for a while. We'll see if we do better this time.
God Bless and keep following only Him.
Pastor Dan
www. NewHeightsFellowshipchurch.org
Check yourself-The word of God says that we should test all spirits and only approve those that recognize who Christ is.
Consider that God is not likely to throw away all the work He has done to this point because even if we have made mistakes He has not.
God often asks us to step up our game but never asks us to dismiss His. What you have done may sometimes be insignificant but what He has done never is.
Life Got busy and I missed updating this blog for a while. We'll see if we do better this time.
God Bless and keep following only Him.
Pastor Dan
www. NewHeightsFellowshipchurch.org
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Called to testify
New Heights Fellowship
609/613 Main Street
Toledo, Ohio 43605
419-469-8808
www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
thinkingcrazy4christ.blogpsot.com
afamilyofgod@bex.net
At Twenty-Six years old I was married with one child. The bank owned my house and more my net worth was negative by a lot. The day my father and I went to but a riding lawn mower so I would not have to work so hard to mow the lawn that accompanied the house I realized I had purchased everything that I had ever thought I wanted. We worked all the time. Sherri and I were managers in the restaurant business and we hardly ever saw each other and never saw our daughter together unless it was a vacation day.
It just hit me that there had to be something more to this life than debt, collecting things, and surviving. So, Sherri and I started attending the church where the only person we knew that seemed to us like what we thought a Christian should be went. After six months of sitting in the pews I began to see that what the pastor was talking about applied to me.
As a non-Christian I was deathly afraid of looking out of place. We had done all the things that we thought it would take to fit in. We even put money in the offering plate every Sunday. I could not get up in front of people. I had missed dozens of days of High School to avoid having to give oral reports in front of class. As a manager conducting meeting with people that I would oversee and could fire was still (because of my fear) a traumatic experience which included my heart racing, my palms sweating, and cotton-mouth so bad you could knit a sweater.
Then God called me to go forward in front of everyone to proclaim my love for Him and to my surprise after some resistance, I did. That began the journey. Now I am a Pastor, Church Planter, and North American Mission Board Missionary. I speak in front of people and to strangers all the time. God has changed me. I used to care about almost nothing and nothing at all as much as me. Now, I care about the work of God and people who are dying and going to Hell.
Since the beginning of our journey God has changed me, used me to lead people to Him, and gifted me to do what I know I never could have done. I am broken and humbled by His mercy and grace. I pray always that I may preach the word with Boldness. Often I wonder how anyone could ever preach it as boldly as it, as boldly as He deserves.
Daniel R. Stevenson
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Overcoming fatigue
Yo-
I'm hot, sweaty, a little sun burnt and a little sore. However, today I have been kind. Though hurried I have been giving. We went and gave. We sought out the lost. For that fact, I may be sweaty, a little sun bunt, hot, or sore, but I shall never be the same.
Go King Jesus!
Pastor Dan Stevenson
www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
I'm hot, sweaty, a little sun burnt and a little sore. However, today I have been kind. Though hurried I have been giving. We went and gave. We sought out the lost. For that fact, I may be sweaty, a little sun bunt, hot, or sore, but I shall never be the same.
Go King Jesus!
Pastor Dan Stevenson
www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
Monday, May 23, 2011
Forty-Six days left!
46 days to what?
So, about six months ago God laid upon my heart a thing. We have affectionately dubbed it the 7-7-11 vision. It is a vision of what the ministry will be on 7-7-11. I 'm not sure about the whole thing really but I know it is a call to be something more than we have been.
Forty six days to 7/7/11
7-7-11 is forty-six days (if I'm counting correctly) away. It is a certain thing that if we arrive at that date and the goals have not been reached and we have not done all that God has allowed us to to fulfill the goals-then we will feel responsible. We must get the gospel out and show people that we love them. At that time of year when most people are making all kinds of plans to get too busy for God a number of New Heightsers or New Heightsians or New Heights peoples or whatever are making plans to get busier than ever for Christ.
Eighty outreach events in Forty-Six days
Over 80 outreach events most of which are servant evangelism type events are now scheduled with one lead persons name assigned for each event and the details (time, place, type of events recorded on a master calendar with other church events.
Eighty outreach activities in 46 days! Is that not a God thing? The whole thing will culminate with an outdoor service on 7/7/11 at which we hope to baptize a number of folks. Who knows what's actually going to happen? Well, God of course!
We are Reaching New Heights in Jesus!
Pastor Dan Stevenson
www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
So, about six months ago God laid upon my heart a thing. We have affectionately dubbed it the 7-7-11 vision. It is a vision of what the ministry will be on 7-7-11. I 'm not sure about the whole thing really but I know it is a call to be something more than we have been.
Forty six days to 7/7/11
7-7-11 is forty-six days (if I'm counting correctly) away. It is a certain thing that if we arrive at that date and the goals have not been reached and we have not done all that God has allowed us to to fulfill the goals-then we will feel responsible. We must get the gospel out and show people that we love them. At that time of year when most people are making all kinds of plans to get too busy for God a number of New Heightsers or New Heightsians or New Heights peoples or whatever are making plans to get busier than ever for Christ.
Eighty outreach events in Forty-Six days
Over 80 outreach events most of which are servant evangelism type events are now scheduled with one lead persons name assigned for each event and the details (time, place, type of events recorded on a master calendar with other church events.
Eighty outreach activities in 46 days! Is that not a God thing? The whole thing will culminate with an outdoor service on 7/7/11 at which we hope to baptize a number of folks. Who knows what's actually going to happen? Well, God of course!
We are Reaching New Heights in Jesus!
Pastor Dan Stevenson
www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Commodities
Everything is essentially worth what someone would pay for it. Time is no exception. The problem is you can not buy time. You are not qualified to deal in such things. Even if you pay someone to do something so that you have more time to do something else you can not control other variables that might result in more time needed.
Life can last. Because of Jesus I will have enough time. Though time may run out on certain things, I can be certain that I have accomplished what the Lord has arranged for me to get done if I am genuinely seeking to walk with Him and in Him every day.
This I want to do.
What would I pay for it if I could? My everything. Simply, my everything. And so, I do not find Jesus' words "If any many should want to be my disciple he must deny Himself, take up his cross and follow after me," very offensive at all. I would gladly pay you yesterday for a single nacho today-cause it's gone and I can't do anything about it anyway. But for tomorrows I would pay everything!
Go King Jesus-he paid it all.
Pastor Dan Stevenson
www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
Life can last. Because of Jesus I will have enough time. Though time may run out on certain things, I can be certain that I have accomplished what the Lord has arranged for me to get done if I am genuinely seeking to walk with Him and in Him every day.
This I want to do.
What would I pay for it if I could? My everything. Simply, my everything. And so, I do not find Jesus' words "If any many should want to be my disciple he must deny Himself, take up his cross and follow after me," very offensive at all. I would gladly pay you yesterday for a single nacho today-cause it's gone and I can't do anything about it anyway. But for tomorrows I would pay everything!
Go King Jesus-he paid it all.
Pastor Dan Stevenson
www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Stuck in my head
Sunny day after a lot of rain:
Young Woman on blue bike with hairy dog on long leash, standing in big, wet puddle drinking with long, pink tongue
Pastor Dan Stevenson
www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
Young Woman on blue bike with hairy dog on long leash, standing in big, wet puddle drinking with long, pink tongue
Pastor Dan Stevenson
www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
Gone
Gone
Everyone left me. My wife is traveling today. She has to go to a very tough property. I'm a little concerned. My daughter got up and made the bus this morning. I'm happy she did cause we used to have trouble with this and you never know when such things are gonna pop back up. My boys got up when called and got ready no problem. Now, I'm planning my day and blogging-cause I love you guys that much.
Gone
It's a work day. There is much to be done. There is no bed of roses. There is no time to waste. Time is a valuable commodity which God hands over in little bits as He keeps all the rest. When He stops it'll be gone.
Gone
My days are numbered. I hope it's a pretty big number but when it comes up.I'm Gone.
Gone.
I'd like to say more but other than a short haiku that I'll write in another entry-I'm gone.
Pastor Dan Stevenson
www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
Everyone left me. My wife is traveling today. She has to go to a very tough property. I'm a little concerned. My daughter got up and made the bus this morning. I'm happy she did cause we used to have trouble with this and you never know when such things are gonna pop back up. My boys got up when called and got ready no problem. Now, I'm planning my day and blogging-cause I love you guys that much.
Gone
It's a work day. There is much to be done. There is no bed of roses. There is no time to waste. Time is a valuable commodity which God hands over in little bits as He keeps all the rest. When He stops it'll be gone.
Gone
My days are numbered. I hope it's a pretty big number but when it comes up.I'm Gone.
Gone.
I'd like to say more but other than a short haiku that I'll write in another entry-I'm gone.
Pastor Dan Stevenson
www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
fatigue
Your eyes are tired and dry. Your neck is stiff or your back is sore. You have had enough but life goes on. You fall asleep when someone is talking to you. Your eyes drift shut but a second later you are wide awake and you feel fine. It's fatigue.
Maybe you've pushed yourself too far. Maybe you've burnt your candle at both ends. A few late nights, a few too many early mornings and your fatigued. But that's not the only way.
Fatigue
TV fatigues the mind as the screen continually refreshes to mimic the actual movement of real life. (Watching TV is not rest.) Emotional moments fatigue a person psychologically. The brain creates chemicals and chemical byproducts of emotions build up so that only rest will free the brain for proper balance.
Fatigue
Water is used in virtually every process of the body and tons of people (I think maybe almost all ordinary people) are struggling under the effects of dehydration. I even think that sometime when people's body are calling out for water they eat (resulting in all sorts of other problems.) Hydration makes health and strength possible. Drink more water (nope-more than that.)
Fatigue
Good health is the antithesis of Fatigue. Sure, we will still get tired but not so much fatigued. Exercise, hydration, proper nutrition, periods of peace, and Sabbath are the solution. I say that knowing that I sometimes fail in these areas. In fact I am fatigued this morning after a long weekend and missing my Sabbath yesterday due to an emergency.
Peace. No God? No Peace. I'm not stirring up trouble. Realizing that living without the one you were created to relate to is fatiguing is absolutely necessary. Dodging that reality has become a pass time for some. They work very hard at it even finding substitutes for as long as they hold out. Sounds Fatiguing doesn't it?
Sabbath: Sabbath is the time set apart to reflect on God, yourself, and especially your relationship to God. Leave God out, scripture out, or reflection out and you are not having Sabbath. Rest is good but Sabbath is the God given answer to fatigue.
So, you tell me? Should the TV be on during Sabbath? Should read a good book? Should you sleep it away? I think, no. I think you can incorporate these things in small amounts but the Bible, you, and quiet are the principle ingredients. One more thing ,the ratio is 1/7th. The Bible teaches that you need to take the equivalent of one entire day every week. This is not complete rest. It is as described above...
Lord help us. We have become a nation that has forgotten this most important principle.
and the result?
Fatigue.
Pastor Dan Stevenson
http://www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org/
Maybe you've pushed yourself too far. Maybe you've burnt your candle at both ends. A few late nights, a few too many early mornings and your fatigued. But that's not the only way.
Fatigue
TV fatigues the mind as the screen continually refreshes to mimic the actual movement of real life. (Watching TV is not rest.) Emotional moments fatigue a person psychologically. The brain creates chemicals and chemical byproducts of emotions build up so that only rest will free the brain for proper balance.
Fatigue
Water is used in virtually every process of the body and tons of people (I think maybe almost all ordinary people) are struggling under the effects of dehydration. I even think that sometime when people's body are calling out for water they eat (resulting in all sorts of other problems.) Hydration makes health and strength possible. Drink more water (nope-more than that.)
Fatigue
Good health is the antithesis of Fatigue. Sure, we will still get tired but not so much fatigued. Exercise, hydration, proper nutrition, periods of peace, and Sabbath are the solution. I say that knowing that I sometimes fail in these areas. In fact I am fatigued this morning after a long weekend and missing my Sabbath yesterday due to an emergency.
Peace. No God? No Peace. I'm not stirring up trouble. Realizing that living without the one you were created to relate to is fatiguing is absolutely necessary. Dodging that reality has become a pass time for some. They work very hard at it even finding substitutes for as long as they hold out. Sounds Fatiguing doesn't it?
Sabbath: Sabbath is the time set apart to reflect on God, yourself, and especially your relationship to God. Leave God out, scripture out, or reflection out and you are not having Sabbath. Rest is good but Sabbath is the God given answer to fatigue.
So, you tell me? Should the TV be on during Sabbath? Should read a good book? Should you sleep it away? I think, no. I think you can incorporate these things in small amounts but the Bible, you, and quiet are the principle ingredients. One more thing ,the ratio is 1/7th. The Bible teaches that you need to take the equivalent of one entire day every week. This is not complete rest. It is as described above...
Lord help us. We have become a nation that has forgotten this most important principle.
and the result?
Fatigue.
Pastor Dan Stevenson
http://www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org/
God's care
To God be the glory!
What an awesome weekend we had! God gave us the weather we prayed for and people turned out. Thank you thank you Thank you!
We had tons of volunteers and lots of friends and family come to give glory to God through the march of the crosses and the free block party following. I've actually never seen anything quite like it.
The mission team from little flock was awesome and they not only worked hard but gave all glory to GOD!
Several persons gave their lives to Christ. We served 500 hot dogs, approximately a thousand sticks of cotton candy, several hundred sno cones, and gave away lots of door prizes (love in tangible form.) This was all for the glory of God. Think about the service hours and the kindness and gentleness of those were there for no other reason than to give of themselves. Go God!
Pastor Dan
www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
What an awesome weekend we had! God gave us the weather we prayed for and people turned out. Thank you thank you Thank you!
We had tons of volunteers and lots of friends and family come to give glory to God through the march of the crosses and the free block party following. I've actually never seen anything quite like it.
The mission team from little flock was awesome and they not only worked hard but gave all glory to GOD!
Several persons gave their lives to Christ. We served 500 hot dogs, approximately a thousand sticks of cotton candy, several hundred sno cones, and gave away lots of door prizes (love in tangible form.) This was all for the glory of God. Think about the service hours and the kindness and gentleness of those were there for no other reason than to give of themselves. Go God!
Pastor Dan
www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
Friday, April 22, 2011
Two boys two rooms
I've got a six year old and a nine year old. They are both incredibly smart and I'm not jsut saying that cause I'm biased. They read very well (well above their age level0 and they use words like evidently and superficial. They msut have gotten it from their mother-cause she is really smart to-She knew I needed her before I did.
Anyway, lately I have noticed how they have been acting out the scripture which says steele shapens steele. When they are together they spiral up and up until things are out of control. It's the effect they have on one another. They are always trying to one-up or escalate to the next higher stopping point like in a lunch room full of children all trying to shout over one another. Except, there are only two of them...
So, today they are grounded from being in the same room for any length of time. I thought it was fitting. They don't like it. We let dinner and the car slide but they have their computers in the same room and so can not both play computer or watch tv or play with their little nephew at the same time. It seems to have gotten their attention. Perhaps they will learn to appreciate one another more. Then again, maybe not.
Thank God I'm not really the one in charge here.
Thank God He is.
Pastor Dan Stevenson
www.newheightsfellowshpchurch.org
In 16 hours we march!
Anyway, lately I have noticed how they have been acting out the scripture which says steele shapens steele. When they are together they spiral up and up until things are out of control. It's the effect they have on one another. They are always trying to one-up or escalate to the next higher stopping point like in a lunch room full of children all trying to shout over one another. Except, there are only two of them...
So, today they are grounded from being in the same room for any length of time. I thought it was fitting. They don't like it. We let dinner and the car slide but they have their computers in the same room and so can not both play computer or watch tv or play with their little nephew at the same time. It seems to have gotten their attention. Perhaps they will learn to appreciate one another more. Then again, maybe not.
Thank God I'm not really the one in charge here.
Thank God He is.
Pastor Dan Stevenson
www.newheightsfellowshpchurch.org
In 16 hours we march!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
The Calm Before the Storm
The Calm Before the Storm
It's about to begin. It's almost time. Butterflies in the stomach...Cotton in the mouth or sweaty palms or both. It's almost my turn. She's looking at me. What will the answer be?
When many things are about to be revealed or many things are about to connect or just one thing that you can't stop thinking about is on the verge of unleashing its effect in your life...
Sometimes this eerie calm sets in. "The Calm Before the Storm."
The fact is there is nothing left to do. You can not now change the outcome. Only prayer and silence before the already determined effect of the unveiling is left to you.
The calm before the storm.
But we see only what our eyes let us see. We forget that there are so many more things that we do not understand. We think in linear time. We might even contemplate whether we can squeeze in one more thing before the climax. We decide no. We decide there is no time left and we are left with the anticipation alone.
The storm.
We perceive that it is not yet. We perceive that it is coming. It will be here any second. We become fixated on the thing and its ramifications. We wonder, what will become of me after this? Or do we? We wonder, Will I service this? We begin to think-I mean even when it's just will the answer be yes or no-we begin to think that if this thing does not go the way we want we will not live on after. Of course, that may actually be true where real danger exists. As in, the calm before the battle begins for a soldier. On the other hand, in most cases, we will survive this too. In fact, in most cases, we have already survived worse than the worst this situation could deal to us.
So, is it the storm that is worse or the anticipation of it.
The mind.
The mind is a powerful thing. We do not use it. Let's face it. We don't even memorize any more. Or even remember well. We can't calculate like used to be necessary. Smaller computers turned out to mean smaller intellects. Or at least less use and if your brain is like a muscle it atrophies from lack of use...
But the mind unleashed is a powerful thing and it can unleash itself at times. your mind can unleash itself on you.
So then, is the storm the event? Is it the anticipation of the event or is it the unleashing of an un-utilized ability to anticipate the event and its ramifications.
Coming events:
Saturday Cross March and festival: This will bring glory to God if we just do as we are supposed to do. My mind wants to wrestle control away from me and away from God to think about all the ramifications. I will not allow it. I submit myself to God. i submit my mind to God.
Jesus' return. If it is soon- I will not see my kids grow up. I will not see my grand kids grow up. if it is soon my friend will be eternally separated from God and me. We will not play together in heaven because he does not accept that God could save us this way or indeed that God cares. It seems that some believe that if it were soon they would do more or be better prepared. If they new it was soon. Tare down the billboards Mr. Billionaire-God said no one may know the time or the season of Jesus Return accept the father Himself. Hopefully he's got enough millions he won't sue me for that-hmmm.
NOW is the calm which I say is actually the storm. Jesus is coming. When? I don't know and I don't have time to waste on letting my mind go crazy about that. I want to be found serving Him when He does come. Perfect love casts out all fear. 1J4:18
Anticipation.
As for delaying while I wait for the ramifications or contemplate the outcome to try to calculate at exactly what second things will go down. No.
As for busily anticipating His return without being about the things that He has commanded. No.
As for ignoring the potential immanence of the unfolding of these events. No.
As for me and my house-We will serve the Lord-A different J.
Alfred Lord Tennision said, I must lose myself in action lest I wither in despair.
The storm is not the storm. The calm before "the storm" is the Storm. Get uncalm.
Pastor Dan Stevenson
http://www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org/
It's about to begin. It's almost time. Butterflies in the stomach...Cotton in the mouth or sweaty palms or both. It's almost my turn. She's looking at me. What will the answer be?
When many things are about to be revealed or many things are about to connect or just one thing that you can't stop thinking about is on the verge of unleashing its effect in your life...
Sometimes this eerie calm sets in. "The Calm Before the Storm."
The fact is there is nothing left to do. You can not now change the outcome. Only prayer and silence before the already determined effect of the unveiling is left to you.
The calm before the storm.
But we see only what our eyes let us see. We forget that there are so many more things that we do not understand. We think in linear time. We might even contemplate whether we can squeeze in one more thing before the climax. We decide no. We decide there is no time left and we are left with the anticipation alone.
The storm.
We perceive that it is not yet. We perceive that it is coming. It will be here any second. We become fixated on the thing and its ramifications. We wonder, what will become of me after this? Or do we? We wonder, Will I service this? We begin to think-I mean even when it's just will the answer be yes or no-we begin to think that if this thing does not go the way we want we will not live on after. Of course, that may actually be true where real danger exists. As in, the calm before the battle begins for a soldier. On the other hand, in most cases, we will survive this too. In fact, in most cases, we have already survived worse than the worst this situation could deal to us.
So, is it the storm that is worse or the anticipation of it.
The mind.
The mind is a powerful thing. We do not use it. Let's face it. We don't even memorize any more. Or even remember well. We can't calculate like used to be necessary. Smaller computers turned out to mean smaller intellects. Or at least less use and if your brain is like a muscle it atrophies from lack of use...
But the mind unleashed is a powerful thing and it can unleash itself at times. your mind can unleash itself on you.
So then, is the storm the event? Is it the anticipation of the event or is it the unleashing of an un-utilized ability to anticipate the event and its ramifications.
Coming events:
Saturday Cross March and festival: This will bring glory to God if we just do as we are supposed to do. My mind wants to wrestle control away from me and away from God to think about all the ramifications. I will not allow it. I submit myself to God. i submit my mind to God.
Jesus' return. If it is soon- I will not see my kids grow up. I will not see my grand kids grow up. if it is soon my friend will be eternally separated from God and me. We will not play together in heaven because he does not accept that God could save us this way or indeed that God cares. It seems that some believe that if it were soon they would do more or be better prepared. If they new it was soon. Tare down the billboards Mr. Billionaire-God said no one may know the time or the season of Jesus Return accept the father Himself. Hopefully he's got enough millions he won't sue me for that-hmmm.
NOW is the calm which I say is actually the storm. Jesus is coming. When? I don't know and I don't have time to waste on letting my mind go crazy about that. I want to be found serving Him when He does come. Perfect love casts out all fear. 1J4:18
Anticipation.
As for delaying while I wait for the ramifications or contemplate the outcome to try to calculate at exactly what second things will go down. No.
As for busily anticipating His return without being about the things that He has commanded. No.
As for ignoring the potential immanence of the unfolding of these events. No.
As for me and my house-We will serve the Lord-A different J.
Alfred Lord Tennision said, I must lose myself in action lest I wither in despair.
The storm is not the storm. The calm before "the storm" is the Storm. Get uncalm.
Pastor Dan Stevenson
http://www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org/
Friday, April 15, 2011
Cross walk
The day before Easter we are planning a big event. Please pray with us that we have good weather. We are marching a variety of crosses down Main Street regardless of weather but we are hoping to have a large free block party open to the community. We have an ad running in the Blade and the Suburban Press. We are hoping to attract some attention but there is no alterior motive-everything is free-WE do hope to tell people why we are doing this. Because we love God and God loves them. Invite people to our event, please... Pastor Dan www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
web sites
Internet It amazes me this thing we call the internet. People are sending thought electonically-Sometimes it'sn like telepathy through a machine. Then they are charging for the services and using the services to sell the services. Website Today I had to relist the church website cause the people who were hosting it for free (as part of a business membership's fringe benefits stopped doing so. So, I waited on hold for three separate times for a representative who then put me on and off of hold while ordering someone in some little lab somewhere to put my website info over onto their server. So, now we have to pay them for what was free (though we will likely now be cancelling the business membership which was not free.) Anyway, we wanted to be able to keep people who use web sites to keep informed so we were 'over-a-barrel' so to speak. There will be no interruption of service and there will be no recognizable difference to our website users. It'll just be stored in some other computer somewhere. So be it. Pastor Dan Stevenson www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Atlanta
Recently, my wife and I traveled to Atlanta. We found some interesting and unexpected things. Traffic: The traffic in Atlanta is unbelievable. They have lots of roads and apparently live mostly on them. We crossed the city and it took 2 1/2 hours. We were frazzled just by the number of stops and ammount of time spent. When we arrived a trusted source commented that our time was actually a good one. This throng of humanity survives out of courtesy for one another and a willingness to exist under adverse circumstances. The government appears to have done a great deal to make possible the masses of traffic. Business are amply spread and there is a lot of preserved green. Three to four lane highways are the norm. People stopped to let us into traffic. There is a new and undestandable movement to put everything that one needs in one general local-like the mega-blocks from Judge Dredd(TM). you live, eat, play, and work all in one general local-your neighborhood becomes "the block." It's cool, but it certainly breeds a different mind-set. I guess I'm spoiled, thinking I can get in the car and drive to where I am going and have a reasonable expectation of getting there between bathroom trips. Anyway, we would still have taken the offered jobs and moved there if that is what we felt the Lord wanted. However, it appears that God has other plans right now. So, thank you for your prayers, or if you knew nothing about the offers-sorry to spring it on you-and we'll be staying here for now. I did get to reunite with a friend and to make at least one new one. I wish I would have had more time but we all must get back to serving the Lord... I have no idea how long God will keep us here serving on this field. It looks like for a while anyway. I hate that it means at least for now Sherri has to continue to travel way more than I would like. God Bless Dom. Corp They have been good to us. In turn God has been good to them. It works that way, ya' know? Genesis 12-Them which take care of us-God will take care of. You ain't seen nothin' yet! Pastor Dan Stevenson www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
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