Junior High Camp @ IRBC

I had the great honor to be asked to be the morning speaker at the week of Junior High Camp at the Iowa Regular Baptist Camp in Ventura, Iowa.

This year we had about 450 campers ranging from 7th, 8th & 9th grades. I was asked to speak in the mornings to the 7th & 8th graders. Our theme this year was "Chosen To Serve" and I spoke on David & Goliath, Gideon, Amnon and then a session on lasting growth and change.

I hope to have some pictures in the near future!

More to come....And Here You GO!!!!!!!!

Pastor Steve

I Only Want To See You There

I was going through some old CD's and ran across a Keith Green oldie but goodie  called "The Ministry Years" Vol.1  On there was a song that brought back a flood of memories so I thought I'd share the word here, trust these are a blessing to you ....

I need to say these things cause, I love you so,

And I'm sorry you get angry when I say that, you just don't know,

But there's a Heaven waiting for you and me.

I know it seems every time we talk I'm only trying to just make you see.

And it's only that I care, I really only want just to see you there.

---

Please try and overlook my human side,

I know I'm such a bad example and you know I'm so full of pride.

But Jesus isn't like that, now He's perfect all the way,

I guess that's why we need him, cause by ourselves, there's just no way.

And it's only that I care, I really, really only just want to see you there.

To see you there.

---

Close the doors, there're just not coming.

We sent the invitations out a long, long, long time ago.

We're still gonna have a wedding feast,

Big enough to beat them all.

The greatest people in the world just wouldn't come,

So now we'll just have to invite the small.

And it's only that I care, I really, really only want just to see you there.

---

Isn't that Jesus? Isn't it Joseph and Mary's son?

Well didn't he grow up right here? He played with our children.

What, he must be kidding? Thinks he a prophet.

But prophets don't grow up from little boys.

Do they, from little boys? Do they?

Much Ado About Nothing

I'm amazed at the amount of time and effort that is being expended in the "LeBron James Watch"!

Since the early dismissal of the Cleveland Cav's from the NBA playoffs there has been a continual hum about where LeBron is going, if LeBron is going, with whom will LeBron be going and how much money will LeBron be signing for in this new contract deal.

For the last couple of years some NBA teams have been clearing space to offer him a mega contract as soon as he was available this year. However, July 1st was the earliest any of the free agents could "officially" entertain offers and hopefully all of this will end tomorrow when, in what is the height of "it's all about me", LeBron will be part of an hour long TV Special about his decision.

Are you kidding me!?!?!?!?

What arrogance! With everything that is going on in the world LeBron acts as if the world is revolving around him! He is going to sign a contract to play basketball. That's it: Basketball!

I need to be honest here, FICA: Fairness In Conversation Act, I have been a LeBron James fan. He is a phenom - straight out of High School to the NBA and he is a force i n his game but, it is still just that ... a game.

The sooner this thing is over the better ... at least ... that's The Way I See It!

Pastor Steve

Vacation Bible School 2010 @ CLRBC

VBS is underway at the Clear Lake Regular Baptist Church!

Sunday evening was our VBS Kickoff Cook-out and despite the rain we grilled out 60 hamburgers and a couple dozen hot-dogs. I love it whenever we get to grill for our church family, everyone really enjoyed the meal and after a brief devotional we made our way to the big fireworks display.

Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 9 PM we are hosting kids to come to ROME: Paul & the Underground Church. We have an opening time together and then the kids move into small groups, followed by a game time. When the kids come in from the game time they go and see "Paul" as he is under house arrest in Rome; from there the kids are escorted to a room in the lower level of the church that we have made into the "underground church" where we try to explain what it might have been like to worship in the persecution of the late first century.

We also have a market area where the children may "purchase" items or make crafts with the Roman coins they earn throughout the evening. there is a food stand with flat bread, rat on a stick (chicken) and all kind of fruits both fresh and dried.

The children are really enjoying the experience and every night as they arrive they have their own costume to wear as they experience "ROME: Paul & the Underground Church"!

Pastor Steve

Random China Topic: Air Pollution

Time for another glimpse into my trip to China, today's topic is the pollution that we encountered mainly in Beijing.

I need to begin with our arrival or really just before our arrival. As we are making our approach to Beijing the pilot informed us that we would be experiencing a "bit" of turbulence. A bit my foot! I nearly lost my lunch! There is a lot of debate about what caused the turbulence, I'm convinced that the pollution had a major part; while John thinks that I'm nuts! As true as that may be, there was a ripping thunderstorm in the area and right after we landed there was a tremendous downpour. Whatever ... I KNOW I'm right!

Back to the topic at hand ... the pollution was sickening! Road signs were covered with a slimy film and looked like it had been dripping off of the bottom. As we approached the city later in the week, it was like driving into a fog.

 

The Chinese had a handle on living with the problem. I saw many wearing masks especially those riding small motor bikes and mopeds.

On a personal note, no sooner than we landed both Susan and I when into complete nasal lock-down. We had some allergy medicine and it helped a bit but neither of us really felt that we had any real relief. I'm positive that I carried a low-grade headache for most of the time I was in country. I know that I woke up every morning with a low-grade headache and after some Motrin and Sudafed I was able to get rolling.

More topics to come ... Pastor Steve

Special Note for T. Mark

T. Mark, 

Invited your folk to come to Clear Lake for the 4th. We had a cookout in the rain but everyone was able to eat inside and the rain let up just in time for us to all go down to the lake front and watch the fireworks.

Good time were had by all! Love being able to have your folks over to hang out with our church people!

Trust all is well with you ... keep checking in!

Pastor Steve

Random China Topic: Fireworks

Yesterday being the 4th of July and watching another incredible fireworks display over Clear Lake, I thought I would post a blog on fireworks in China. I'm pretty sure that China manufactures more fireworks than any other nation ... I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure I got that one right.

My introduction to fireworks in China began at 4:30 AM the first morning after we arrived. Because the Chinese do not use DST, the day is well underway by 4:30 AM. I was awakened by a barrage of firework in the field next to the orphanage in which we were staying.

Rolls of 500 or more firecrackers and concussion bursts (you know the kind ... they go up, flash of light followed by a thunderous BOOM). I seriously thought we were under some sort of an attack! Small arms fire and mortar rounds!

Why would the Chinese be shoot off fireworks at 4:30 AM you ask!?!?!?! To ward off evil spirits from the ground on which they were going to begin building on that very week! I'm not kidding you a bit! For two days, at 4 AM, people showed up to get a head start on spooking the spooks off the property so they could begin to put in the foundations for the new building going on that property.

If that really works ... after the display I saw last night over Clear Lake ... Let The Construction Begin! we ought to be good for about 6 months!

I Remain,

Pastor Steve

July 4th 2010

 Just wanted to take this opportunity to wish all of you a blessed and safe 4th of July. As you enjoy the time off and time spent with family laughing, eating and watching fireworks may we never forget the price of that was paid for our freedom.

I'm so very thankful as I reflect today about my Dad and the men and women throughout the years who served our country, many of them giving the ultimate sacrifice so that I can celebrate on this day!

Thank you to all who have served, are serving and especially to those who gave all.

I Remain,
Pastor Steve

Random China Topic: Transportation

One of the most incredible things about China is the massive number of people; now that in and of its self is not a profound statement but when you consider that all of those people need to be able to get around ... now you've stumbled upon an interesting topic!


In this post I'm not so interested in the way the Chinese drive, I cover that in a later post but I want to try and help you understand that if it has wheels and can be somehow powered it will be drive n on the road!


I saw in China everything from the high speed train to cars and vans to motorcycles, mopeds, bikes, three-wheelers and walkers. The riders/users of all of these modes of transportation were of all ages!


I think my favorite was the Jinbei, an 11 passenger van. 3 rows of 3 and 2 up front.

 Here are some other modes of transportation seen in China: (These are stock photos - I did not take these)