I'm Being Tested

Lately, I've been busy juggling all sorts of projects. I think I've been doing a fairly decent job. I feel like I'm being tested by God. I've been feeling it as well as hearing from him in my prayer time. Every time I stumble or get short with somebody, I find myself feeling really unsure if I am doing what God has planned for me.I'm not having a problem listening. My problem is worrying about what others think.This should be the last of my concerns. I know the only thing that matters is what God thinks of my life.
I guess when it comes down to it, my life is no different than anyone else's. We all have doubts and struggles that we deal with daily, but I sometimes get too busy that I start second guessing myself.
Like I always told my kids, if you do your best, thats all that can be expected of us. God doesn't put anything on us that he can't handle.
I guess being tested by God is a good thing- That means that he is in my life . I love tests now.

Blessings
Steg

My 3 BFF'S

I know it sounds corny, but you three individuals are my best friends.You keep me on my toes. Had it not been for you guys, I wouldn't know how to use a computer.I wouldn't have anyone to laugh at my jokes. I just love hanging out with you guys. You just make my heart smile.I enjoy 1 on 1 time as well as group time with you. It is so neat as a father to see each of your kids grow up into responsible adults. I am so happy to be part of your lives. This is something in the past that I have taken for granted , but recently I realized this is a privelege and not a given. As I grow older , I am starting to look in the rear view mirror as to what changes I still need to make in my life, and although there are many, I still enjoy the view.
Thank you kids for making me proud. I love you guys so much. No, I don't have some serious disease, I just wanted to put this out there. Please continue making a difference in this ugly world. God has your back, and so do I.

Blessings
Daddy Steg

14 Years of Love- Our Minpin

This 4lb. minpin has been a member of our family for 14 years now. She's almost blind and deaf, but still captures our hearts with her courage and snuggle up ways. She sleeps most of the day except for pee breaks. Yes she is still comtinent.I just thought I owed her a tribute. Here's to Zoey Stegman. You will always be loved,(She's not dead.) I thought it would be easier to write this while she is still alive and well



Blessings
Steg

Romans 12-

I have decided to read Romans 12 every morning before getting out of bed for the next 7 days. It addresses many things that I need to work on in my everyday life.

Romans 12 (The Message)

Romans 12
Place Your Life Before God
1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
3I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.

4-6In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.

6-8If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.

9-10Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

11-13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

14-16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

17-19Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."

20-21Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.


The Message (MSG)

Blessings Steg

Winter Wonderland: Jason Mraz

This relaxes me

Blessings
Steg

Goodbye Holidays

Man am I glad these days are over.I can do without this for another year.I'm going to eat right for the next year.Come on Fam--I need encouragement on this.

Blessings,
Steg

2010-The Steg 4

2010 was a tough year for me personally.In January, Joel Michael Stegman was born as a 4th generation Stegman.Preceeded by great grandfather Don,grandpa Mark, and father Josh were all here to welcome into the family.He is destined to be a great family leader.What a great addition he is as the #2 grandchild. He's a great compliment to his sister Lydia.
In February , the clouds darkened as my father was found to have cancer in virtually every organ in his body. !0 years earlier, he was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma and given 2-3 months to live. With a year of intense therapy, he extended his life 10 years(thru the grace of God).My sister and I cared for him in the hospital, at home in hospice and back in the hospital for the next 30 days.Not knowing where my dad was in his faith was agonizing.I was afraid to upset him. 2 days prior to death, The family gathered at his bedside and Zak sang worship songs as we all joined in.The last form of communication my dad made with us was a smile and a thumbs up to Zak as he played.This tore me up.I then felt that he saw and felt God(at least I hope so). He died 2 days later. I spent the next 2 months living with my mother and sister helping get mom back on her feet. Her health drastically declined but eventually was restored.
The month of June was spent with Lori. We went to Ichthus and served there with 20 teenagers from VCC. It was a great time with good music. It was great being around the younger kids and interacting with them,It was a great 4 days of camping.
Later that month, we did SOS, hosting 6 boys at our home for a week.Every day there were different outreaches that I helped facilitate.This is my favorite time of the year.Hearing Zak lead worship every day of this week is iceing on the cake.
Chloe, Krissy's dog joined the family.She will make a great playmate for ollie.
The month of july was spent cutting my mom's, our's and the in-laws lawns.I also babysat Ollie and Chloe while Krissy vacationed in Maine and had a seminar to attend for school.
In August Zak and CC went to Ireland on a business/vacation trip. They were gone 3 weeks and were missed by all.
In September, Zak and CC announced that a baby Wolfgang was on the way.#3 wow.
Started October with me and Jessie getting older. Me -55, Jessie-??.haha
We had our first and hopefully many more to come camping trip at 3 Trees. It was a great time hiking, campfires and s'mores.
November brought new employment to Josh. This was a very exciting time for all of us. (answered prayer). Krissy carved another notch in the tree with a birthday celebration.
Lori and I attended the Greenhills Lighting of the trees with Krissy. Ken Riley said he was looking for our annual video.
Wally(Lori's dad) joined us in our home to recover from a fall and the family managed to complete our 2010 christmas video before Zak and CC headed to Florida forn the holidays.
It has been a busy year for all. God has blesed us with good health and we thank him for that.I want to thank my family and friends for all the love and support given me this year.

As Lyd Says
Love You,Boingy

Steg