Finally a new Blog

First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I have indeed a lot to be thankful for this year. We have had a host of ups and downs this year, but God has always been faithful.

Moving...Moving...Moving
I am so tired of trying to get everything moved in the new house. With a little help from my friends, I should have everything out of the house Saturday. Please pray that I can get everything done.

Our Van is in the shop, we should get it back after the holiday. We were on our way to church Sunday and the engine light came on, and it did not want to pull. The service people told us it needed new plugs and wires.

God is still blessing and I can't be thankful enough.

One more thing, Paula spoke at church Tuesday night. She did a great job, and I am so proud of her.

Steve

Changes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A lot of things have been changing in my life over the past couple of weeks. God has really been moving for our family, and I publically want to say thank you Lord for your many blessings.

Our good friend Paul is selling us his Mom's house and with that we are indeed blessed and thankful. With every good change comes unexpected things and we have been having them too. Some things need work in the house, but at least I can fix them myself and don't have to wait for six months like at the last placed we rented.

We are still moving, hopefully be done this week. We are in the new house, just have to get little odds and ends. We needed a gas stove in this house and was having a hard time getting one...then I got on craigslist and found a nice one for free. See how God blesses us. We still need to get rid of the electric stove we have, but that will come. We have to get a new water heater this week, so pray we find a good one...Cheap!!!!!!!!!!!

Special thanks to my buddy...KENNY....He is a plumber and good friend who has been helping me fix the plumbing. I also want to thank Paul for willing to sell us the hosue and Norman for helping me move.

The kids love the new house, Robert has his own little apartment upstairs and he loves that.

So in just a month, we have a home, a better Van, and in a few months, after getting caught up,we will have more money each month. God is Great!!!

Last but not least.... our daughter Jessica just found out she is having a baby. Her fiance' also has a little girl that is 4 years old. It looks like me and Paula are offical grandparents. (Even though I'm way too young to be called Grandpa!!!)

As more happens and time permits I will update later. Keep us in your prayers that we can get everything done ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve

Under Attack

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2Co 10:3-5)

Lately, it seems that many close to me are under attack. Yet even though the enemy may hurl his firey darts at us, they are quenched by the anointing of our faith. Thank God that in the mist of all the caos the devil throws at us, our weapons are not weak, but our powerful through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I've read the back of the book and we win. The enemy may advance toward us, but our God can bring him down to size.

Please take the time to help in this warfare by getting on your knees and interceding.
Remember these special request: Rosie and Wayne Guilliams (healing and strength)
Richard Lovelace (strength and work situation)
Paul,Nancy Estep and family (healing and strength)
Jackie Groesslar (healing)
Farrell Family (healing and finanical needs)
MISSION Church of God

I am sure there are many more request but these are ones I would wish you would take to you heart.

Steve

Several Prayer Requests....

Just a quick blog to ask those of you who believe in prayer to remember Paula in prayer. She was at church Sunday night and her defibulator fired six times. She is in the hospital, doing good...just tired and sore. Please keeps the kids in your prayers especially Kassie as they are having a hard time without Mommy.

There are two others from our church who also are in the hospital. Rosie, our pastor's mom, had surgery last week and needs prayer for strength and healing. Nancy, our minister of music's wife, is also in the hospital. Please keep these are there families in your prayers.

In Christ

Steve

A Great Service last night

We had our first communion and foot washing service at the MISSION last night. We really had a great service. It seemed that everyone came with a heart to worship. Most participated in both sacraments of the church. We also had 4 baptized in water on Sunday afternoon. We are seeing the Lord really move in our church. I can't wait till the next service Thursday. I'm looking for a real breakthrough for the entire congregation.

Steve

The Debate

Now one of my good friends...(Paul) suggested I had a mysterious illness called Palinitis last night. Not true....but I did watch the debate. In my book Palin won hands down. However, I will say Biden did not stick his foot in his mouth last night. The only thing I didn't like about Biden is he never addressed his comments to Governor Palin. He made his comments to the pro-Obama moderator.

Palin showed she could stand her ground with the best of them. Biden is a well respected senator (even though I disagree with his politics). Palin did not seem like she was out of her league. No major momment, but a good debate.

McCain also agreed to let her come out and begin to be the attack dog and make herself known over the next 31 days.

On a special note, fox showed a pic of Governor Palin praying before coming out to do the debate... She is a class act.

Steve

37 and holding!!!!

A good friend of mine, who's name is Paul, emailed me on my B-DAY. He told me I was one year closer to being approved for AARP. I love special thoughts from such sweet people. I may be getting older, but I still have a real zest for life....even if I don't show it as much as I should.

Now on to bigger and better things----
Have you ever had a bad day....the Day after my 37 BDAY was horrible. I woke up sick. Then I had to be at Kassie school for lunch (I didn't feel like but I pushed. The things we do for our kids.) I had a horrible headache and had to take some Aleve. Then I walked out of the house without my keys. (Paula was at school.) There was no spare key. I had to try to break in my own house. I opened the laundry room window climbed up on 2 cinder blocks, to discover I was too fat to squeeze through the window. Thank God, my neighbor pulled up (he is skinny). He went throught the window for me and unlocked my door. I grabbed my keys and went to the school. Kassie is having attachment issues and fear of being locked in a room. So please pray for this situation. I am having to stay at the school most of the day. Then I got home and felt so bad took a quick nap. I woke feeling worse. I stayed home from church last night...a real bummer!!!(Even though Wayne was preaching...LOL!!)

The only good thing was the debate last night between Palin and Biden...this brings me to my next post!!!!!

Steve

Jesus Fest

We had a wonderful Jesus Fest this past Saturday. It was great time of fun and fellowship!!!! Great people came together to make this a great event. We had so many that help make this Jesus Fest, a real joyous time. I've been to many church events and something always goes wrong or tention can be come very high. Yet, always was fairly good. We had no major crisis and a lot of wonderful comments.
We had just a fine array of music and plenty of food. Those who worked with us in the drama, did a outstanding job. May God always place. Check the church website for pics.
Steve

Just Thinking

Reading a blog by my friend Paul, got me to thinking. Sometimes we can forget how faithful God is and has been in our lives. Most people who know me, understand that I have been in church all of my life. I started preaching the gospel at age 14. I served with Dad in his church over 10 years. I started working in children's ministry then worked my way to associate pastor before my father's death. In all this time I remember how faithful God was to me. Yes, there were times I questioned WHY? There were times I got wore out. I remember once instance, when I felt God tell me, all that I was doing was becoming work and not service. I started laying done jobs that I had not asked for. I am sure you can understand being a pastor's son and a minister alot of the tasks fell on me.

God adventually opened a door for me. I walked out on faith!!!! I felt the call to go to WV and start a church. It just seemed to me there was a Macedonian call for me to go there. God opened door after door for me. I was able to see great miracles. The ministry God had committed me with excelling. Then through some circumstances I met Paula, who would become my wife. Little did I know when I left KY to go to WV this established bachelor for the Lord, would change his mind.

Since then everything has not been peaches and cream, but God has blessed us. I have had the privilige of seeing God do some great things. I pray I always live up to that standard of faith.

Sometimes the faith walk, is just stepping out not knowing where your going...just knowing God is with you.

Steve

God is so Good

Many times I get on here and it seems I'm complaing. Sometimes, I do vent on this blog. Yet, I want to tell you how great and awesome our God is. There is no stopping what he will do for his children. In time of trouble, he is an every present help. He is worthy of all praise. He gets me up in the morning and takes care of my family. He has given the precious gift of Salvation and the Holy Ghost. Like the old spiritual song says He's done so much for me I can not tell it all. What an amazing God we serve. Remember no matter what your problems, he can lift you up to soar above the trials. One of my life verses is Isaiah 40:31. Just like the eagle we can rise above it all.

Steve

The mean smears toward the Palin Family

Saturday Night Live is the newest to smear the Palin family. In a skit on this past Saturday's broadcast, two reporters made reference to Todd Palin having incestous relations with his daughters. Now come on, how low will they go to smear this family.

I think they are so scared of this articulate lady and her normal middle class family, they are shaking in there boots. They are afraid of her because she goes against everything a "woman" is suppose to believe in. They don't know what to do with one as conservative and pro-family as she is. She went from PTA Mom to Governor of her state. That's a great acomplishment.

I think this lady will be a breath of fresh air for America.

Steve

What is the church?

I have been doing some thing and study on really what is a church suppose to be.

I have been in the church all my life. I have seen God in many different prespectives. I was raised in the Church of God, Cleveland Assembly. My Dad preached in a lot of independent churches and even pastored a few that held to mainline, conserative holiness tradition. I saw how the two types of churches operated. They had some similarites, but also some major differences. I became acustom to the Church of God. They seemed to be more family oriented. The pentecostal churches put a greater emphasis on the gifts of the Spirit and physical manifestations.

Then when I became a teenager, I went to a southern Baptist High School for one year. That was long enough for me. They seemed to be more ridged in there worship style. I finished my high school years at a Pentecostal High School and seen another world of Pentecostals. They were not of the holiness doctrine. What the holiness people would call worldly, beacause of there dress code.

Each one of these churches had there own tradition. When I started preaching, you name I've proably been to many mainline denomations. I have preached in churches from Baptist and Methodist to Holiness and Apostolic. However in all my years of being in church, I find church is define differently by all these labels.

When we go to church, the first thing on our mind ought to be worship. It should be a place to commune with God and fellow believers. It should be a place were everyone feels accepted. However, it should be a place that still has the convicting power in the service. The service should be uplifting. God is a good who encourages his people. He does not want his people to come to church and leave feeling worse.

When you come to church have a praise on your lips. Have joy in your heart. Don't let situations hinder your relationship with God.

STeve

Editorial Cartoon and Election Smears have me Outraged!

I apologize for the curse word in the above cartoon. Yet, when I saw this I was really upset. Anyone who knows me for long, will understand I am an advid follower of poltics and a committed Republican. However, that does not make me demean others. This cartoon was a ment as a smear on Sarah Palin. It was to show her as some sort of irrational person, following some fringe/cultic religion.

Sarah Palin is refreshing. I believe she is such a normal person, that the media and the democratic elite don't know what to make of her. They are trying to get some dirt or discredit her everyway they can. What is really shocking is how women have done a 180 turn on having a woman as the top 2 in the county.

Then Mr. Pat Oliphant makes this slanderous cartoon. It not only be littles Pentecostals but all Christians. It slanders God Almighty. I am amazed at the brazeness of some people. Who would ever think of such a blasphemous cartoon.

If you remember a year ago about the anti-Muslim editoral cartoons. They cause all types of outrage in the world. There were riots in the middle east. Yet this blantant attacks go unchallenge by most Christians. It seems the only religion that can get persecuted in this country with out fear of outcry in the Prostant Church.

Poltics have stooped to a new level. These attacks make me sick. We really need to pray for our country.

More Later

Steve

Our church is energized!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last night we had our first service at our new location on Turkeyfoot. We are using the Open Door Church of God to hold services on Sunday and Thursday Evening at 7PM. Did we have a blow out service last night. God really moved last night and we felt like we were home. Plenty of room to worship. We seen people shout all over the church last night. Paul Estep led worship last night and with him on keyboard, Johnathn on guitar, Findley on bass and John on Drums, we showed that we have a great band. God is really touching lives. We see people happy and smiling that we have seen the joy of the Lord in for awhile. I was feeling poorly, but I pushed to be there. I can't wait for Thursday, I be feeling better and hopefully pumped and prayed up. Thanks to all the folks at Open Door for letting us use this facility.

More later,

Steve

Fred Thompson

What a speech Thompson gave last night. He showed a lot of passion and great emotion. Where was this when he was running for president? Take a momment and listen to what he had to say.


More Later

STeve

Just found this out about VP choice!!!!!

This is from a blog written by Doug Wead.

What is Sarah Palin’s religion and why does it matter?
What is Sarah Palin’s Religion?

She is Assemblies of God.

Ted Boatsman, the former Alaskan District Superintendent for the Assemblies of God, was her junior high pastor at Wasilla Assemblies of God Church. She is currently attending Juneau Christian Center whose pastor is pastor is Mike Rose.

In high school she was the local leader of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

McCain does more than balance the ticket with a woman. He solves his complicated religious problem with Pentecostals, who according to a recent Barna survey make up almost half of all born again Christians. McCain’s on again off again relationships with John Hagee and Rod Parsley, as well as the ill timed Charles Grassley attack on six Pentecostal television ministries are now moot points.

But wait until MSNBC find out. Expect all hell to break loose. She will be portrayed as a pro creationist - Neanderthal. Just wait. And, as well intentioned as they will be, thinking that they are doing Obama a good deed, it will drive the Evangelicals into the McCain camp. All of Senator Obama’s kind overtures to people of faith will be for naught.

This is turning out to be a better choice than I thought.

Steve

Finally some real HOPE and CHANGE!!!!!!!!!

If your tired of the poltics already this election season, today should have excited you! We got the VP pick for John McCain is Sarah Palin the governor of Alaska. This is real hope and real change. I know many may not like the idea of a woman on the ticket, who could have the potential of being president. I am not bothered by the fact that she is a woman. I am very please with her conservative pro-life values. This lady may be the change and the hope that the GOP really needs.

We still need to pray for this country and this election, for it has the potential of being the crazy election ever.

Steve

Done some work on the website

I haven't done much on personal website in a long time. So recently I did a little work on it. You can read Paula's article that was printed in the Evangel and view some music videos of me and Richard singing. Click Here to Vist the Site


More Later,

Steve

Prayers Answered and more prayer requests

Just like the heading says, this blog about answered prayer and new prayer requested.
God always hears our prayers and in my last post I told of how our church was growing. Well it looks like we may have a church to worsjip in. We will be using another church's facilities on Sunday and Thursday night. I'll post more later on the actual building, dates, and times. So one prayer answered.

Now a new prayer request. My mom is having severe pain in her left arm. She broke it about 30 years ago with a bad open fracture. She had surgery bak then. She just found out that there is some deformity in her arm and that is what causing the pain. She's worried about what they might have to do to try and fix the problem. She also has severe arthritis. So please keep her in your prayers.

Steve

What's Happening!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are seeing great things happen at our church. We have had 14 saved this month, and last night we had almost sixty people and some of our regulars weren't there.
It is really exciting to see what God is doing. We also got word yesterday, we will be using a local COG to hold our services. Please keep us in your prayers as our church goest throught these changes.

Steve

Obama picks Biden

I think this campaign add sums it all up!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Good Day

Well, the kids went back to school today. They all did great. There was no tears from anyone including Paua. Paula and I went to the Sandford house in Covington (one of the oldest houses in COV). She took some great pics. I was really surprised to see such a beautiful house on Russel Street in Covington. I upload a pic later.

Paula is really getting into this photography. I'm glad to see her really take interest in something and go with it. It gives her something to do.

We haven't heard anymore on Paula's heart, but she has been doing great lately.

We should find out this weekend who Obama's VP will be. We will find out next week who Mcain's VP will be. I pray that Mcain doesn't pull a stupid mistake, and pick someone pro-choice. Mcain is up about 5 points in the poll. That is a good thing. I think the Saddleback church forum really help shape voters ideas.

I'll add more later,

Steve

Special Request

I love my church. It has really given me some new vitality, which I needed. I have been more energized and excited to see what God is doing. We have seen 7 saved this month. We are growing by leaps and bounds. This is my prayer, we have outgrown the present facilities. We are meeting in the basement of the pastor's parents house. We love the small church feel and hospitality shown to us. Yet, we can't continue to grow in this present location. So to all my friends, please pray God opens the right door.

Thanks,

Steve

Saddleback Forum

Most of you know I am an avid republican and this presidental election season is really distressing. However, there was a ray of hope Saturday night at the forum at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church. Most know that Rick Warren wrote the best selling The Purpose Driven Life. I may be one of the few who have never read his book. However what he did in this campaign was so refreshing and enlighting. In my book there was another side showed of the Maverick John Mcain. He was honest, softer Mcain. This was good to see. Obama talked more in circles, like always. He was not straight forward with his answers. He was more worried with how every one would look at him if he told his views. If Mcain keeps showing himself like he did on this forum, he may prove to be the next president. Let's just pray he picks a conserative VP.

More Later,
Steve

Another New Week

This week the kids are going back to school WED!
I will once again find some greatly needed time of peace and quite, while they are gone. Hopefully some time to study and pray like a need too.

Paula is picture crazy. That's all shes does in her free time is snap another pic.

Good service last night at church we had 3 get saved.

Well more later,
Steve

Whats Happening!!!!

Well there has been a lot going on this week. Pastor Wayne is on vacation, and I preached both services Sunday. We had wonderful services and 2 were saved on Sunday night.

Our denomination is holding in General Assembly in San Antonio. There are some real changes coming to the COG, please pray for these men who are on the general council.

Jerrie is doing good. She came last night and picked up Robert. He will be staying with her for a few days. We swapped kids, we have Tina. Jerrie called this evening and said she went to church tonight. I can't tell you how happy this makes me.

Please continue to remember Paula and Isaiah in your prayers for there complete healing.

I got word yesterday the lead singer for Compassion, Mike Richards, wife seems to have ALS a form of MD. Please pray for this family because they also have some children with special needs.

It's late and I'm getting tried more later!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great things are happening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We just got news last night that my sister-n-law Jerrie gave her life to the Lord. This has been a prayer for many years. I want to thank my God for what he is doing. Jerrie lost her son Kristopher in a house fire several years ago, and has been living with the grief and pain of this. When I spoke to her, she said it seemed like all the pain was gone and the weight had been lifted off of her. I'm telling you don't ever give up on praying for your love ones. God will save them. I ask for you to continue remembering her in your prayers along with her husband, Andrew and daughter Tina.

Tommorow is church, and Wayne is on vacation so I am preaching both services. I will give an update tommorow. God Bless,

Steve

A new week

This week is starting to look up! Paula came home from working youth camp Friday. It is so nice to have her home. We just got the van fixed the water pump went out this weekend. You should have seen all of us in our pastor's van Sunday. We had 2 great services Sunday and we have started making a CD of the singers from our church. No matter what you go through God always moves right on time.

Steve

It's been awhile

For those of you who have been stopping by and nothing new has been posted. I just went through sort of a blah phase with writing on the blog. I wull try and write something at least once a week from now on.

So what's been going on in my life lately......

We are now attending the M.I.S.S.I.O.N. Church of God in Florence, Ky. We are meeting in the basement of our pastor's parents house. This may seem odd, in the the days of big churches, however we are seeing God doing great things. Helping out in this new church has really stimulated my relationship with God like it needs to be. Just like I said I was in a blah status with the blog and was getting there spiritually. It had nothing to do with anyone else but my self. Yet now I am once agian really excitied and looking forward to what God is going to do.

Since joining this new church. Paula has had some health problems, yet now even she is doing so much better. June was a hectic month. Paula was at the ER three different times. Paula talked her doctor into doing and angiogram and they found her blockage had went from 30% to over 90% blocked. They did and angioplasty and put in a stent and she is doing wonderful. She stopped smoking and started going to college to become a professional photographer. She also wrote an article for our Denmonation's magazine. I am so proud of her.

Last week I worked KY youth camp, and I really enjoyed myself. Ian went down with me. I had 10 boys in the room. They called themselves "Steve and the 10 Amigos". Special hello to all my guys who view this blog. Paula's gone this week to Youth Camp so now I have my nine kids. Pray for me and them that Dad doesn't get to stressed out.

Well I type more later,

Steve