The Holiday Season, so soon!

Can you believe it? Connie and I were talking just the other night about how quickly time flies. She said, "Steven we just lit the Christmas tree downtown". It does seem like yesterday. Our lives are so busy and that is what makes time go by so fast. When we were children Christmas, spring break, or summer vacation couldn't get here fast enough. Now our childhood wish comes true!

During this Christmas season I encourage everyone to slow down and spend time with family and friends. Don't plan anything special just sit and talk, look at old photos and reminisce about the days of old. God bless you and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Family

I've always considered myself very blessed. I have the most wonderful wife (best friend next to Jesus), two wonderful adult children(four when you count Liz and Lyndon), and a few really good friends. But there is another group of indviduals that I take for granted sometimes, they love me unconditionally, they're faithful, compassionate and always there for me. They're my family!
Last weekend we had the opportunity to all hang out in a little town called Magnet, Indiana. It was in the middle of no where. We didn't have any phone service, no computers, no work, nothing to interrupt our time together. The weekend was filled with laughter, games, interesting sleeping arrangements(I'll have nightmares about hide-a-beds), and great food! All of this was wonderful, but I don't think any of us were prepared for what God had in store for us on Saturday night. All of us had the opportunity to share about our lives, what God was doing in and through us and we prayed for one another. The power of His presence was so incredible and so amazing that we all were touched. God is doing some incredible things through our family and I can't wait to see what lies ahead. So I encourage all of you to take some time out of your busy schedules and hang out with the fam, you'll be blessed.

Blessed beyond words!

Do You Remember?

For many years I've always had a difficult time remembering my sister Pam's birthday. I don't know why it's so hard to remember, I don't seem to have a problem remembering other birthdays, nor do I have a problem remembering anything of importance. In 2001 that all changed. I'll never forget her birthday again, neither will you. We all remember that day very well, it was the day two planes flew into the World Trade towers and another plane flew into the Pentagon killing hundreds. That day we lost fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers. Aunts and uncles, cousins and close friends. All taken within a matter of minutes. Life is so precious! We all take it for granted, our families, our friends and even our freedom. It's sad that it took such a catastrophe to help me remember my sisters birthday, to remember just how important she is and how much she really means to me. I'll never be the same! I'll never forget! Everyday we live is special, a gift from God. Remember!

A friend of mine wrote this little poem in my year book and It has always stuck with me. It may seem a little corny, but the words are so profound.

It's easy to remember,

It's easy to forget, but

don't forget to remember

to remember not to forget

Steven

The Power of Prayer

Calling all of Gods people to pray. Chronicles 7:14 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)

14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
The power of Gods word and the wondrous power of prayer. I believe that prayer can change lives, circumstances, heal us of sickness and disease and that's only the beginning. My life group as been in a series called "When Gods people pray". This has been such an eye opener for Connie and I, this study has blessed and changed our lives. In fact, it has made such an impact that we would like to begin a new ministry called "The Prayer Team". This team will meet on Saturdays and Sundays during each of the services. We will be in constant prayer for the entire service. We will be praying for Gods hand upon the service, that His anointing would flow through our pastor, our staff, volunteers, our congregation and those who are visiting. I believe that this will be a great addition to our ministries at Northview. I believe the "Prayer Team" members will be blessed and through their prayers, be a blessing. If you would like more information about the "Prayer Team", contact Steve Quinn at (317) 753-2255 or send an email to s.quinn1@sbcglobal.net. God Bless!

Steven

Yesterday was one of the best days of my life. I woke up early to attend the first service of church and listened to an incredible message about local and global outreach. Now I consider myself to be very outgoing when it comes to sharing my faith. I enjoy serving and giving my time, gifts and resources to those in need. But its seems as though it always been under my circumstances, my time, my agenda. When I watched the video played at the end of the message, I could only weep. Not for the hurting people of this world that are so lost and clueless about a loving God, but because I've not been able to just say, HERE AM I! Three powerful words. HERE AM I! Easy to say but much harder to live. I need Gods help to give me the strength, His word to give me faith and His Holy Spirit to boldly go. Sunday morning, I decided to kick it up a notch, to make a new commitment and just say to the Lord, HERE AM I. Lets all make a new commitment and say here am I to whatever God has in store for us.

His Servant

Stop and smell the roses

Today I sat down for a few minutes to catch my breath from what has been an extremely busy month. I sat there in my office, just me and the computer. I starred at the blank canvas before me, hoping to write a prophetic word or thought. Instead I found myself thinking how pathetic my life has become lately. How I've allowed work and other project to interfere with my relationship with God, family and friends. I've always thought of myself as a great man of God, a great husband and father to my children, and a pretty good friend. But I have failed. Failed to stop and smell the roses. A very wise man once told me that "When you work for your boss, you should give 110% of yourself for the time required to work. But if you couldn't finish the job, it would be there tomorrow." Wow! Simple words with a hugh meaning. There is only one shot at this game we call life, one and only one. So not taking the time to spend with family, friends and most importantly God is a smart thing to do. Thank you God for opening my eyes. Thank you for telling me to stop and smell the roses.

Thank you God

Steve Poe's mother and father were visiting a few weeks ago, its always good to see them. After exchanging hugs and kisses, we were able to take a few minutes to catch up on our lives. Connie and I shared with them about her diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. They were very concerned about Connie and wanted to pray for her. I shared with them how we were standing on the promises of God, that we believe for Connie's healing. And then Steve's mom shared a very profound statement, she told us to start thanking God. Just thank Him for our abilities and our disabilities. To keep thanking Him and believing! It's so true, we develop tunnel vision and we stay focused on our disabilities and forget about our abilities. We forget about God's blessings on our lives. We forget that He's always there, in the good times and bad. He has experienced everything we've ever gone through or will go through. He will never leave us or forsake us. With God all things are possible.

Today I count myself truly blessed. Last week, after two months of pain and unanswered questions, my wife Connie was diagnosed with a inflammatory arthritis. She is on the road to recovery, I believe that God can heal her completely. I know He can because is WORD tells me so. Connie and I must seek His face, stand on His promises, and just believe. Nothing is too difficult for our God, nothing. A friend quoted me a scripture and made it very clear that it was by His stripes we are healed. He didn't say that you would be healed in the future, He said you are healed. Now! We lack in faith and we don't give God the credit for His amazing power. I believe, I do believe!

My best friend &

the love of my life

My son, some people think

we are twins.

My beautiful daughter

(She makes me laugh)

This is our dog, Bo

Comfort Zone

I accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour as a child. And of course through my teen and young adult life, I tried to live life on my own. I thought I had all the answers. God quickly taught me that it's impossible to live life with out Him. In the last couple of years, I have developed an even closer walk with God. I find my heart longing to be used more of God than before. You see for long I had become comfortable with my Christian walk. I went to church every week, sang on the vocal team, worked a few discipleship walks, you get the picture. But these were all things that were in my comfort zone. In these last two years, even the last few months, I have felt Gods call on my life to adventure outside my comfort zone. I believe that God is calling me into the ministry. I believe that through all of these years of training and preparation, even at the ripe age of 44, that God is ready to use me. I'm ready! I believe that God has called me not only to use the gift of song, but to share from His word and my heart. Please keep Connie and I in your prayers as we take off on this new adventure.

Flickr: Photos from stevenquinn1

Flickr: Photos from stevenquinn1

Holy Thursday

During the Easter season we remember Good Friday, the day Christ was crucified. And Easter Sunday, or Resurrection morning the day Christ rose from the grave. But we often forget about Holy Thursday. This was the day before Christ was arrested, tried and put to death. This was the night that Christ shared with His disciples that He would be leaving, going to a place where they couldn't go for now. That one would betray Him. That he would be put to death, yet be raised on the third day. He shared with them, one last meal. He took the bread and broke it, and gave it to them saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me". And in the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. Do this in remembrance of me". "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lords death until He comes". Its through these words, through these symbols that we should remember the ultimate sacrafice Christ made for us. He willingly gave of himself so that we wouldn't have to die for our own sins. Take some time to day and thank God for this AWESOME gift of love, and remember.

So much to be thankful for

A young lady, along with her other classmates, were asked to list what they thought the seven wonders of the world were. Some of the students answered very quickly while others struggled. After much thought, all the students in the class had turned in their papers, except for the one young lady. The teacher approached her and asked if she was finished? She replied by saying that she was having a hard time on choosing the seven wonders. The teacher asked, What do you have so far and maybe I can help? The young lady spoke aloud and began reading her list, to see, to hear, to touch, to feel, to laugh, and to love. The entire room became silent, you could hear a pin drop. The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for granted are truly wondrous.

To love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul, your mind, and your strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. These are the two greatest commands, love someone today and you'll experince the seven wonders of the world and more.