Saturday, March 03, 2007

A Couple Of Very Good Movies

I very seldom recommend movies for varied and sundry reasons. However, I'm about to make an exception.

The first movie is titled: "One Night With The King". It is the story of Esther from the Bible. What I really enjoyed was how the movies took time to go back and make the connection between Haman and King Agag from 1 Samuel 15. This sets the stage for the story of Esther and I was amazed that the movie so closely followed the Biblical account. Plenty of poetic license was taken but overall, not a bad flick for a Hollywood movie.

The second movie is titled: "Facing The Giants". The story behind this film is astounding! An assistant pastor in a church had a desire to make movies and told the senior pastor that since local churches do not make movies ... he would probably have to resign and leave. The senior pastors response was to think outside the box and say "why not?".

The entire church helped in all different parts of the movie and what they ended up with was a fantastic feel good story with an awesome spiritual undertone. I thought it was very well done and deserves a look see from very family!

Check out these two movies and let me know what you think!

That's the way I see it - - -

Pastor Steve

Friday, March 02, 2007

Winter Wonderland in March

The second major winter storm in a week slammed into Iowa with a vengeance on Thursday and Friday, the first two days of March.

I really must say that the snow is beautiful but being in complete lock down stinks. So how do I combat this cabin fever? I bust out the gas grill! Yes, that's right I cook out on the grill.

During the first winter storm we had steak on one night and chicken on another night. Last night with the storm bearing down on us we choose hamburgers on the grill!


We also spent time together watching some TV and just hanging out in between bouts of shoveling. Thanks to those who stopped by and plowed out the driveway. What a great help!


We missed out on the major ice this go around but the snow is so beautiful! Philip got some great pictures, I'll let them speak for themselves.


Be careful and enjoy the season!


Pastor Steve
















Finally, to my brother who moved to Florida ... WISH YOU WERE HERE!

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Winter Storm Version 2.0

Here we go again!

Last Thursday we were told to batten down the hatches for a huge winter storm. The powers that be in the weather department were not lying.

We started with sleet and then moved to a freezing rain bit. By the time the snow began in earnest, we had about a half inch ice on the ground. That was followed by 15 inches of snow, a blizzard warning and a Sunday filled with digging out!

Now before you might feel sorry for me ... we were very fortunate! We did not lose our electric as many did; and some still do not have their power back on yet!

To top this off as I write this blog .... the freezing rain has begun in a fury. We are right now under the following weather statements: a Blizzard Warning & a Winter Weather Advisory. So as I said at the beginning, here we go again!

Pastor Steve

Friday, February 16, 2007

Arsenic & Old Lace

The Ventura High School will be performing "Arsenic & Old Lace" as the Spring play for 2007.

Many of you will remember that Arsenic & Old Lace was a classic 1944 Frank Capra movie starring Cary Grant. The plot runs some thing like this: On his wedding day Mortimer Brewster learns that his beloved maiden aunts are homicidal maniacs, and that insanity runs in his family.

The reason I tell you this is because Philip and Susan will both be in the play. Susan will be working on the stage crew as an assistant stage manager. Philip landed one of the lead rolls; that of Mortimer Brewster!

Play practice begins on Monday February 19th & the performances will be on March 24th & 25th. I promise more details to follow!

We're really looking forward to this play at our house!

Pastor Steve

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Blueprint Seminar

I had the opportunity this past Saturday to attend the Blueprint Leadership Seminar held at Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, presented by the GARBC.

This was an excellent seminar and I gained a great deal of insight! The seminar was given by John and Daria Greening.

*The Blueprint Seminar
is an in-depth learning experience designed to help you and your church leaders develop a comprehensive strategy for moving people toward spiritual maturity.

*The Blueprint Seminar will enable you to:
  • Identify the 7 building blocks of spiritual maturity
  • Discover the instructional essentials that nurture spiritual growth
  • Evaluate your church’s progress toward full spiritual development
  • Create new ways to help people learn
  • Design a customized plan for your church
A very profitable day ... not necessarily new information that I have never heard, but information organized in an a very concise manor.

I'm thankful for conferences and seminar's that you can attend and you do not walk away feeling that if your not doing your ministry exactly like the presenters or organization are, your doing ministry wrong!


One of the key reasons why I'm a huge fan of the Biblical Counseling Conference in Lafayette, In.

That's the way I see it,


Pastor Steve

*=information from GARBC web site

PS: Just for the record we had supper at Mama Lacona's