Private

How come people sign up for my space and facebook in a public forum and then proceed to keep their profiles private? Are they hiding something? Are they a tease? Are they ashamed of their life and family and friends? Are they afraid to get in the game? Church has touched on this subject lately about stepping out of our comfort zones and getting into the game. Too many people sit back and let life pass them by. I know church and facebook are totally different as far as my previous statements go. I'm just saying....

Later
Steg

Favorites

Here are a few of my favorites:

Food-Lazagna
Song-How Great is Our God
Restaurant-Chipotle
Place to visit-Alaska,Canadian Rockies,Oregon
TV-House
Movie-Rambo,Part 2
Color-Blue
Website-Facebook
Sport-All full contact sports
Holiday-Christmas-It's a freak show baby
Candy- Peanut M&M's
Rockstar-Eric Clapton
First Name Boy-Wolfgang
First Name Girl-Lydia
Sports Hero-Franz Klammer-won men's downhill in Austria,his home in 1976 Olympics- I skied the same course
Daughter in Law-Jessie
Redhead-Lori

Have a great day
Steg

Think Big

Why is it that we set our expectations high when we are playing in a softball or golf tournament, but when we set our expectations for God showing up in our lives we set them low? Do we not feel worthy? Have we let our sin form a barrier preventing us from God? Is society turning its back on God for longer periods of time, not just when we slip up? Why do we expect less? This weekend Rusty from the local International House of Prayer spoke at an Alpha retreat and discussed how God meets us where we set our expectations . We need to be bold and not shy away , but rather pursue God with high expectations. God is always in us. It's us that sins against him, but he is always there accepting us with open arms.Get in the game. Set your sights on your goals in life and God will give you a personal escort to reach your goals.
Think big and be bold.

Later,
Steg

Dating

Dating

This is a repost from Mark Driscoll, the pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington. We visited his church while on vacation. He is one of the best speakers I've ever heard. Here are some good tips on dating/relationships that I firmly believe in. Enjoy.
Steg


As part of the Religion Saves and Nine Other Misconceptions series, last Sunday I answered the question: “How does a Christian date righteously; and what are the physical, emotional, and mentally connecting boundaries a Christian must set while developing an intimate relationship prior to marriage?”
The entire answer is available for download in audio and video format on the Mars Hill Church website and on iTunes. It will also be expanded as a chapter for an upcoming book I am writing for Crossway.
Here’s a basic outline of the sermon:
I started by explaining four kinds of relationships–three of which are acceptable for Christians, and one of which is sinful (option #3).#1 - Prearranged Marriage
#2 - Courtship
#3 – Non Christian Dating
#4 - Christian DatingI also gave some practical advice for single men and single women alike, and advice for men and women specifically:
Christian Dating Principles for Both Men and Women
Maximize your singleness for God.
Do not pursue a relationship until you are ready to marry.
Be reasonable – do not set your expectations too high or too low.
A date is not dating: date = time together; dating = couple (1 Tim. 5:1-2).
Never go on a date or date a non-Christian (2 Cor. 6:14).
Only date one person at a time.
He initiates; she responds.
Look at who God puts in front of you (e.g. Boaz & Ruth).
Feel free to use technology (e.g. internet dating) wisely.
Only invest in a relationship with someone who you are attracted to entirely (e.g. physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, ministry gifts).
Only date someone who agrees with you on gender and family.
Guard your heart (Prov. 4:23).


Christian Dating Questions for Men
Are you overlooking good women (e.g. single moms, shy, divorcees)?
Are you honoring, God, her, her family, her friends, etc.?
Is she modest (1 Tim. 2:9)?
Will she follow your leadership?
Does she have noble character (Prov. 31)?
Can you provide for the lifestyle she expects (1 Tim. 5:8)?
Is she like the worst women in Proverbs (e.g. nag, loud, quarreling, unfaithful)?
Do you want your daughters to be like her and your sons to marry someone like her?
Christian Dating Questions for Women
Do you want to help him and join his course of life (Gen. 2:18; 1 Cor. 11:9)?
Is he tough enough to remain strong in tough times (2 Tim. 2:3)?
Will he take responsibility for you and your children (1 Cor. 11:3)?
Is he considerate and gentle with you (1 Peter 3:7)?
Will he be a good father (Ps. 127:3-5; Eph. 6:4)?
Is he a one woman man (1 Tim. 3:2)?
How valuable are you to him?
Do you want your sons to be like him and your daughters to marry someone like him?

Christian Dating Questions for Women
Do you want to help him and join his course of life (Gen. 2:18; 1 Cor. 11:9)?
Is he tough enough to remain strong in tough times (2 Tim. 2:3)?
Will he take responsibility for you and your children (1 Cor. 11:3)?
Is he considerate and gentle with you (1 Peter 3:7)?
Will he be a good father (Ps. 127:3-5; Eph. 6:4)?
Is he a one woman man (1 Tim. 3:2)?
How valuable are you to him?
Do you want your sons to be like him and your daughters to marry someone like him?

Changes

Life comes at us hard. A buddy of mine was recently let go from our company. A gag order must be in effect because noone is talking about it. He was a 15 year veteran engineer at our firm. He is a cancer survivor. His wife is a cancer survivor. He has 6 kids, 2 are in college, no job and no health insurance. These situations make us look at our own life and wonder how we would handle the situation. There are no guarantees in life other than Jesus is always there for us and that some day we will die. Do we really need anything else?
I think I could handle the situation. My buddy is a christian man and from what I've heard, he handled the deal calmly. I guess this is why it is dangerous to get too comfortable in life. We need to just keep following our heart and God's will for us and everything else should fall into place. Sorry for rambling -I'm still processing

Later,

Steg

Cold

What a night. There's nothing better than waking up in the middle of the night, dripping with sweat, while at the same time being so cold that your teeth are chattering.Take 2 advil and see you in the morning.
It's amazing how we take everyday things for granted like health,family,friends,jobs etc. Until something out of the ordinary happens, our lives are subcontiously put on cruise control.
We need to step up and take a proactive approach to life. Take care of our bodies,treat your loved ones with respect and love, help your friends when the need comes, and treat your job with enthusiasm . After all, these things are gifts from God that can be taken away without notice.
Think about it-I sure am

Later,
Steg

Positive Thinking

Joel Olsteen is a great motivator and positive thinker.

Man,are the wheels turning in my head after seeing him speak last night. I am going to practice this concept and hopefully instead of going from work mode to family mode, I can roll it into one. I've been very blessed over the years with great kids, a fantastic wife and generally good health. I need to work on making things even better than they are.
Positive thinking, serving others more and volunteering more will be a good start.Thanks for putting up with me for all these years.

Later,
Steg

Emailing and Instant Messaging

How come people at work will email you to inform you of something in lieu of pulling you aside as you walk past their cubicle? Why don't they pick up the phone instead of instant messaging you?Am I not approachable? Do I smell? Are they afraid to be seen talking to me?
Is that how it is nowadays? Does everything have to be so impersonal?
Got to go --I have to write on someone's facebook wall.

Later'
Steg

You Get What You Pay For

This saying is so true. The new hotshots they hire nowadays to replace the old guys claim to be able to do things more efficiently and less costly. What happens is they save the company 100 dollars today that looks good on the job reports , but in the long run costs the company 1000 dollars later by overlooking how their shortcut ended up adding work to other facets of the job.
The younger generation of workers need to work along side us older guys, getting on the same page, and working together for the betterment of the job. Management always underestimates what older experienced workers bring to the table.With the proper mentoring, these bright young workers can maintain the level of excellence that has taken us old guys to develop over the past 30 years. However, management continues to create monters.
Another scary thought, these kids will be running our country when we are retired. So help out the younger generation whenever you can. Do it with grace so as not to offend them. Maybe then we can enjoy our older years.
Later

Steg

Hillary gets Emotional Again?

I'm sorry,but I am getting sick and tired of hearing about emotion when it comes from a potential future leader of this country I love. Can she take control and make decisions on the fly about defending our country or will she have to look at her hot flash calender to determine what time of the month it is. Just like I was told getting into the construction business, leave your emotions in a shoebox under your bed everyday be fore heading to work everyday or management will swallow you up. These potential leaders need to grow some backbone, stand up to everyone, never back down and quit talking about how someone else screwed something up and focus and talk about what you are going to do and DO IT!
Case Closed,
Steg

Super Game

What a game. The defense was impressive. NY outplayed the Patriots and deserved the win. Personally, I would have enjoyed more action, but nevertheless the outcome was deserving.
The patriots coming in undefeated had to be a little over confident. This is quite understandable and is common in our everyday lives. No matter how active we are in our serving/church lives, Satin is always right around the corner waiting to capitalize when we let our guards down.
Keep up your guard and serve somebody everyday no matter how big or small your act of kindness is, it will definitely brighten someone's life or day. That's my goal---one a day, just like vitamins.
Have a great day,
Steg

Mission Trips

I'm looking into taking a mission trip this year out of the country. It's something that I have often thought about, but for one reason or another dismissed the thought. I actually went to an informational meeting tonight. The wheels of my mind are really turning. I will sleep and pray on this possible excursion and keep you posted.

Later,
Steg

Right Lane Closed Ahead

Why is it when I see this sign displayed that people refuse to get over until the last possible minute? I am penalized for planning ahead and moving to the left lane immediately upon seeing the sign. The arrogant , I'm in a hurry people feel they are entitled a free pass and all others should yield to them. This is a severe test to my patience and christianity in general. If anything makes this old man want to fight, this is it. So , take a deep breath people, too much road construction is taking place nowadays. I need a blood pressure pill.
Later,
Steg