tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041Wed, 06 Nov 2024 02:49:24 +0000Christian livingchangehomemakingGod's KingdomIndia triplife zonesGAPSNo Procrastination Daychangeshealthy eatingmiraclenutritionsermon notesvisionSoap NutscomputerfinancesMovingOlympicsRahabShawn's fingerToddbread-makinggoldkidslinksnarrow roadracereal foodrunningsalvationtraditional dietSeeing God's wonders in everday life...http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Blogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-4718887391128806147Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:26:00 +00002013-03-26T10:28:04.140-04:00changechangesChristian livingfinancesGod's KingdomIndia tripmiracleMovingvisionWell, there's happy news and sad news. The sad news is, Shawn and I won't be going to India this summer. The happy news is twofold. First, two other people will go in our stead, and I will keep up the donation link to help them get there. Second, the reason we aren't going is because Shawn is being transferred to Huntsville, AL, and his start date at the new locale is in the middle of the trip. http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2013/03/miracle-season.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-7011389174871507067Mon, 18 Mar 2013 20:36:00 +00002013-03-18T16:38:34.141-04:00Christian livingsermon notesThis message is from Steve Kelly, the Senior Pastor of Wave Church. Ps Steve lived was born in New York till he was nine when his parents emigrated to Australia. He grew up in an alcoholic home and became a Christian in his late teens. He eventually became an associate pastor at Hillsong in Sydney and was the leader of their college. He had always dreamed of returning to the US to minister, and http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2013/03/what-are-you-full-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-5930602540676152755Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:54:00 +00002013-03-16T06:44:10.454-04:00changechangesChristian livingGod's KingdomIndia tripvisionSince I'm doing a series of posts of sermon notes, I would be remiss not to include current notes from the church I'm attending now. This past Sunday we had an amazing service at&nbsp;Crossroads Vineyard. We launched our first church plant, Skyline Vineyard in Falls Church, VA. Jeff and Diane Wright are the pastors of this plant.&nbsp;Jeff was one of our pastors at Crossroads for several years.&http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2013/03/stop-making-excuses-and-go-for-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-4039669643261426287Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +00002013-03-16T06:38:22.610-04:00Christian livingIndia tripsermon notesvision <!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2013/02/keeping-your-vision-fresh.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-6195842976050915185Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:50:00 +00002013-03-16T06:48:31.285-04:00GAPShealthy eatinghomemakinglinkstraditional dietHere are the links that I think are good places to start: Traditional Diet: Weston A. Price Foundation&nbsp;(This is an excellent source for all sorts of information about traditional foods like raw milk and the dangers of modern foods like soy.) Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats, by Sally Fallon Morell* Nutrition and http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2013/02/healthy-eating-helpful-links.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-5819018918116446382Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:26:00 +00002013-02-28T16:09:56.002-05:00changeGAPShealthy eatingnutritionTaking the GAPS Plunge I had done a lot of research about a traditional diet, and we had seen some improvement in our health after we started eating that way. However, as I continued reading about a truly healthy lifestyle (and anyone who is my friend on Facebook knows that I read A LOT about how to be healthy) I began learning about the&nbsp;GAPS diet&nbsp;(Gut and Psychology Syndrome) and how http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2013/02/our-food-journey-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-6758264892934184441Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:26:00 +00002013-03-15T12:40:30.775-04:00changeGAPShealthy eatingnutritionFrom Awareness to Reality I have had several people ask me lately about how and why we eat like we do, how we got started, and so on. So, I thought I'd kill several birds with one stone and put it all down in a blog post. I have to say that there is no doubt in my mind that God has taken us on this journey. He wants what is best for us not just spiritually, but physically as well. So, here goes!http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2013/02/our-food-journey-part-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-8348161345307076901Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:38:00 +00002013-03-16T06:42:56.907-04:00changeChristian livingGod's Kingdomnarrow roadRahabsalvationsermon notesI really should wait till tomorrow to post the first of the sermon notes, but I was so excited about doing this, I couldn’t wait. The first set of notes comes from my days at Wave Church in Virginia Beach, VA. The first several entries in this particular notebook seem to have been taken either during a conference, or when Steve Kelly, the head pastor was out of town (probably at the Hillsong http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2013/02/from-prostitute-to-princess.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-7501445243299362539Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:47:00 +00002013-03-12T08:13:16.901-04:00changeChristian livingGod's KingdomIndia tripBack in 1996 I went to Hyderabad, India with&nbsp;Teen Mania Ministries. Angel Meagher (though that wasn’t her last name at the time) was one of my Project Directors on the trip. Of all the missions trips I have been on, India was the one place where I went that I didn’t want to leave. That trip had a very strong impact on my life and influences a lot of my current ideals and values. God moved sohttp://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2013/02/putting-gods-kingdom-first.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-2407352399688175622Tue, 21 Aug 2012 17:00:00 +00002013-02-25T11:32:55.044-05:00 I know, I know. It's been months since I've posted anything, and the first thing I post sounds extremely boastful at first take. Please don't assume I'm having delusions of grandeur. Before you call the psych ward, I assure you, the opposite is true. It is only with utmost humility that I can make any such claim, as "I am Christ", because inherit in the claim is the acknowledgement that I am http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2012/08/i-am-christ.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-7331544455107676749Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +00002011-11-07T11:08:34.497-05:00 Yesterday was a difficult day for my family. It certainly turned out to be a day of "heartache and rejoicing". We miss Grandpa dearly, but we are so happy for him, and jealous that he is face to face with our wonderful Savior and Father.&nbsp; The following is what I said at the funeral yesterday before singing "It is Well With My Soul" with my dad. I've also included the arrangement of the http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2011/11/my-tribute-to-grandpa.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-6434973519660020591Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:02:00 +00002011-11-06T19:17:30.384-05:00Today we bury Grandpa. Today we say goodbye. It hurts to see him go, but we rejoice that he is at peace. It's been a difficult year since he was placed in the nursing home. His deterioration due to the Alzheimer's/dementia seemed to speed up a lot. I had hoped to visit him regularly. I only got to visit him a handful of times. Each time was more difficult than the one before. The last time http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2011/11/godbye-for-now-grandpa.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-6549442200853246188Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:01:00 +00002011-11-06T07:01:01.117-05:00*This is edited and reposted from the archives. I went to visit my grandpa the first evening of his admission into the nursing home. I have to admit that I procrastinated as long as I reasonably could, afraid of what I would find, nervous that I would be alone. I had originally planned to bring the whole family, but Shawn and I decided that if Grandpa was really out of sorts that it would http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2011/11/visiting-grandpa.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-561908370506243629Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +00002011-11-06T07:00:03.138-05:00*This is edited and reposted from the archives. My grandfather has Alzheimer's/dementia. We have watched him deteriorate for several years now. It's like watching someone die, one memory, one character trait at a time. Before the onset of dementia, my grandfather was a strong, opinionated, stubborn, witty, funny man. He had, and still has, a strong faith that runs deep and influenced everyhttp://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2011/11/grandpas-moving-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-6213789869395493386Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:00:00 +00002011-06-24T09:22:52.728-04:00I have decided to start posting the contents of my gratitude journal, hopefully daily. Occasionally I may include a quote or scripture as well. I try to write an average of 10 blessings each day. I plan to go to 1000, but I anticipate that I won't stop there. So here are the contents thus far... I've entitled it: "Things For Which I am Thankful or Ways That Jesus Loves Me" 6/21/11 &nbsp;&nbsphttp://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2011/06/my-gratitude-journal-days-1-4.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-843876789402445848Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:07:00 +00002011-06-23T10:08:47.428-04:00I can’t believe it’s almost here. Two more days… Two more days. It’s been difficult to watch my life be packed away, one box at a time. Rooms that were once filled are now emptied caverns, echoing with the memories of days past. A simple sign placed in the yard, "For Sale", the signal to all that we're living in someone else's home. And now the tears that have been held back for months fall – http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-cant-believe-its-almost-here.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-6248505547257445671Sat, 28 May 2011 11:00:00 +00002011-05-28T07:46:40.048-04:00 Dear Father, You messed up my plans this morning. My first plan was to sleep. I have a big day ahead of me, a day in which I must have strength, energy, and alertness. But, at 4:00 this morning I was awakened for no apparent reason. Though I tried to return to sleep, it has been evasive. I must now rely on You, Dear Father, for the physical, mental, and spiritual strength to carry on http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2011/05/in-sight-of-beauty.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-4135580369099150717Sun, 01 May 2011 11:40:00 +00002011-05-01T07:40:44.070-04:00If any of you follow me regularly at all you've probably noticed that I don't post nearly as regularly as I used to. There are several reasons for that, some of them might even be considered good reasons. As with most people, time is a premium commodity in my life. Sometimes I simply have too much going on to take the time to lay down and write a blog post. (I say "lay down" because I'm usually http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2011/05/sunday-morning-musings.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-2733249494949203730Sat, 16 Apr 2011 14:18:00 +00002011-04-16T10:18:35.603-04:00Wow! There's been so much going on in the Stevens household since last September! I'm homeschooling for the first time and trying to adjust to that life. We're trying to change the way we eat and be more conscientious for our part in stewarding the beautiful planet God has given us. We are changing the way we steward God's financial provision and we are paying off our debts. In October our http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2011/04/change-transition-from-something.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-5794883968948925039Fri, 04 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +00002011-02-04T07:00:03.634-05:00I'm finally doing it again. It's been a long time, but I'm doing it tomorrow. I'm stepping outside of the four wall of my home and I'm taking Christ to the people around me. Pretty much since we've lived in North Carolina, I've only been involved in outreach a few times. None of those things were repeat projects. All of them took place within the four walls of my church. I've been growing http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2011/02/reaching-out.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-8000578134043257635Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:13:00 +00002010-11-24T11:13:59.899-05:00I went to visit my grandpa Monday evening, the first evening of his admission into the nursing home. I have to admit that I procrastinated as long as I reasonably could, afraid of what I would find, nervous that I would be alone. I had originally planned to bring the whole family, but Shawn and I decided that if Grandpa was really out of sorts that it would not be good for the kids to be there. http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2010/11/visiting-grandpa.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-6228928802090120861Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:52:00 +00002010-11-22T09:30:02.309-05:00Today is a tough day for my family, and we would really appreciate your prayers. On one side of the family my father-in-law is having knee replacement surgery today. On my side of the family, my grandfather is being put into a nursing home. It is my grandfather that I want to talk about today.My grandfather has Alzheimer's/dementia. We have watched him deteriorate for several years now. It's likehttp://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2010/11/grandpas-moving-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-2559980376872683307Fri, 01 Oct 2010 12:00:00 +00002010-10-01T08:27:11.749-04:00Fear is not as big as it looks,Nor is it as frightening as it tries to appear.God is bigger. God is safety.God is Love!Perfect love casts out all fear!Go to God. Go to Love.Go to Him.Let Him love you. Let Him be in you.Let Him be through you.Rest.Rest in Him. Rest through Him.Let Him refresh you.Rest.Love.Love in Him. Love through Him.Love.Do not fear.Rest. Love.Be.http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2010/10/be.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-2548148888356835674Sat, 25 Sep 2010 10:30:00 +00002010-09-25T07:08:20.646-04:00"For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted my petition made to Him.Therefore I have given him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is given to the Lord. And they worshiped the Lord there. HANNAH PRAYED, and said, My heart exults and triumphs in the Lord..." (1 Sam 1:27-2:1a AMP, emphasis added)As I was reading the Word this week, God took me to 1 Sam 1-2, the story of Hannah. I pray forhttp://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2010/09/faith-of-hannah.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3834532982456102041.post-2324691960112378983Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:38:00 +00002010-08-28T12:26:47.357-04:00This post started out as a blurb I put on an email that I sent to a few people this morning, but after I hit "sent", God kept talking to my heart, so I decided to share it with a bigger audience. :)Last night we saw the movie "Hachi: A Dog's Tale." (Spoiler alert!) Based on a true story, it's such an amazing tale of love and loyalty. The dog waited for his deceased owner for over nine years at http://ordinarymarvels.blogspot.com/2010/08/what-i-learned-from-hachi.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0