Tonight I came up stairs to finish putting together a bookshelf to hold all my books. I like having books. I like reading them and studying, but if I am honest I really like people to think I am smart and theological when they come over... especially my pastor friends.
Anyway, as I passed the girls room (Miram age 7 and Ellie age 3) I overheard Miriam talking. I peeked in to find her sitting up in bed with her book light reading the Bible outloud to her sister. (Last Easter I gave her the NIrV kids devotional Bible). She was up past her bedtime, but hey I can't discipline her for reading the Bible right? Actually, I almost started crying. She was reading in Isaiah and when I asked her how she got there she showed me that she had read one of the 'devotional' sections on Genesis 1 and 2 (she already read the entire book of Genesis by the way last spring... on her own ya'll). In the devotional they have cross references which is sort of an 'extra credit' part and in this one they had referenced Isaiah 45.18.
"For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (He is God!), who formed the earth and made it (He established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): " 'I am the LORD and there is no other.' "
I asked her how she had found Isaiah because I don't remember showing her how to look up Bible passages and she showed me how she went to the table of contents and found it. Then she was able to find the verse. My daughter has placed her faith in Jesus and knows what it means to repent of her sins. The Holy Spirit has indwelt her and I believe was clearly leading her tonight. Not only to illuminate the scriptures and help her find them but also to read to her sister.
I share all of this not to brag about my girl (though I really want to) but simply to share with you that if a second grader will read her Bible why don't you? Why don't I at times? Yeah... I have all the books but tonight my daughter was more spiritual than me and closer to Jesus than me. Tonight I continued to be humbled by her.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
On the block
When I drove up to the house this evening after getting some Thai food and a kids movie (no school tomorrow) I was blessed by what I saw. Along with my kids there were about 6 other neighborhood kids playing in my front yard. We've only been here for 2 1/2 weeks and we've been able to begin establishing our home and yard as a safe place to be on the block. What a gift. Please pray we can be loving adults sharing the gospel and our lives with our neighbors.
Well it's back to Ninja Warrior. That's right... it's like American Gladiator on steriods and based out of Japan. My wife and I are addicted to this show. It is pretty cool and on the G4 channel. In one stage of the competition these guys have to grab onto these balls they look like light bulbs attached to a structure like monkey bars 15 feet in the air over a pitt filled with muddy water (u gotta see it to believe it). Awesome! I am seriously thinking about beginning my training... always wanted to be a Ninja.
Well it's back to Ninja Warrior. That's right... it's like American Gladiator on steriods and based out of Japan. My wife and I are addicted to this show. It is pretty cool and on the G4 channel. In one stage of the competition these guys have to grab onto these balls they look like light bulbs attached to a structure like monkey bars 15 feet in the air over a pitt filled with muddy water (u gotta see it to believe it). Awesome! I am seriously thinking about beginning my training... always wanted to be a Ninja.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Ministry Leadership in Crisis
I am almost 30 years old. I have been in vocational ministry for 5 years and I have been a Christian for 12 years. In my short time as a believer and pastor I have seen many men in pastoral leaderhip fall into devastating sin. I have seen my mentor/proffessor in from the Bible College I graduated from as well as my first pastor (who also married me and my wife) both fall into sexual sin in their early 40's. One of whom lost his family because of it. I have personally known and even had the opportunity to confront a pastor (whose church was close to 1,000 regular attenders) who was dangerously close to adultery only to find out one month later he was caught in the act and he too was disqualified for ministry. Another pastor I knew indirectly had to resign for crack addiction and pain pill addiction. Recently, a church who I have worked with and whose leadership I respected all resigned from their Pastoral/Elder positions due to an inablility to lead the congregation. About a month ago I heard from a confidential resource that 2 well known pastors in the area have both been exposed for sexual immorality. And tonight I found out that a trusted friend of mine who had established a dynmic urban youth ministry was exposed for sexually abusing middle and high school boys in his care, was subsequently locked up, and lost his wife and children.
This latest news which I just recieved tonight has made me sick to my stomach. Not just for the repercussions on his own family and ministry which are devastating but this was someone I would have trusted alone with my children and someone who I had approached in the past about partnering with me in church planting. My question to all believers and leaders in ministry is, "WHEN WILL WE MAKE HEALTHY MINISTRY A PRIORITY?" If you are in ministry would you just admit that you are not superman and you are a normal human being who has limitations. Lead by example and lead in health. I have learned that health brings health. If a ministry is sick it is because it's leaders are sick.
This latest news which I just recieved tonight has made me sick to my stomach. Not just for the repercussions on his own family and ministry which are devastating but this was someone I would have trusted alone with my children and someone who I had approached in the past about partnering with me in church planting. My question to all believers and leaders in ministry is, "WHEN WILL WE MAKE HEALTHY MINISTRY A PRIORITY?" If you are in ministry would you just admit that you are not superman and you are a normal human being who has limitations. Lead by example and lead in health. I have learned that health brings health. If a ministry is sick it is because it's leaders are sick.
The Blog is up and running for real
Hey yall,
Well, we are settling down in our new house in B-more. It was a weird experience to place all my belongings in 4 shipping containers on my front driveway at my old house in Portland. And then see them show up at my new place 2 weeks later 3,000 miles away. Our kids are adjusting to their new school and we are grateful that we can walk them to school each morning. There were some tears from Miriam as she adjusted to her new class. The kids go to a great school but it definitely has an urban edge to it and Miriam wasn't used to the teachers raising their voices a little more than her teachers in Portland. She and Samuel are both one of a few white kids in their classes with the majority being African American. The kids in both of their classes have reached out to them and genuinely want to be their friends. It is awesome to see how the racial barriers adults set up don't exist between children.
Anyway I will be posting regularly, please hit me up and respond to my blogs anytime.
Well, we are settling down in our new house in B-more. It was a weird experience to place all my belongings in 4 shipping containers on my front driveway at my old house in Portland. And then see them show up at my new place 2 weeks later 3,000 miles away. Our kids are adjusting to their new school and we are grateful that we can walk them to school each morning. There were some tears from Miriam as she adjusted to her new class. The kids go to a great school but it definitely has an urban edge to it and Miriam wasn't used to the teachers raising their voices a little more than her teachers in Portland. She and Samuel are both one of a few white kids in their classes with the majority being African American. The kids in both of their classes have reached out to them and genuinely want to be their friends. It is awesome to see how the racial barriers adults set up don't exist between children.
Anyway I will be posting regularly, please hit me up and respond to my blogs anytime.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
A message on Judging
On 3/25/07 I preached at a church plant here in Portland. If you'd like to hear a message on judging, is it right or wrong, and how should we as Christians judge others click on the link. Then go to 'listen in' and look for the message entitled, "Kingdom Judgement"
http://ekklesiaportland.com
http://ekklesiaportland.com
The denial of death
I've always thought it was interesting how people often deny the reality of death. What I mean is it seems like one of the most certain things that will happen to all of us is the least discussed or even acknowleged as a coming reality. How often do people talk about death? What happens when we die? Even on a surface level not too many people seem to be imagining or talking about what they think will happen when they die. This is seen in the general reaction to death as well.When people die we feel like it shouldn't have happened. Funerals feel awkward and we can't wait to be done with them so we can return back to "normal" life. We feel cheated and robbed as if we weren't expecting those we loved to die. There is an almost default imortality assumed.
For a long time I just assumed people denied death because they were afraid of the unknown. But there is a theological reason why this seems to be the natural response. Think about this! When God created man and woman he didn't create us to die. From Genesis to Revelation death is "not a natural but a penal event," (The Cross of Christ, John Stott pg.65). It was penal meaning it is a penalty or punishment for sin. Death came after Adam sinned. Everything about mankind God created and built into us except for death (and the resulting bondage to sin we all experience). Therefore dying is not natural!
Every human being is made in the image of God. Even though there is sin and separation from God every human still has the image of God imprinted upon them however marred, clouded, or faded that image may be. Because of this, death does not feel natural to us because it was never naturally built into us when God first made man. God made man naturally to never die. This is why the reality of death is often denied.
For a long time I just assumed people denied death because they were afraid of the unknown. But there is a theological reason why this seems to be the natural response. Think about this! When God created man and woman he didn't create us to die. From Genesis to Revelation death is "not a natural but a penal event," (The Cross of Christ, John Stott pg.65). It was penal meaning it is a penalty or punishment for sin. Death came after Adam sinned. Everything about mankind God created and built into us except for death (and the resulting bondage to sin we all experience). Therefore dying is not natural!
Every human being is made in the image of God. Even though there is sin and separation from God every human still has the image of God imprinted upon them however marred, clouded, or faded that image may be. Because of this, death does not feel natural to us because it was never naturally built into us when God first made man. God made man naturally to never die. This is why the reality of death is often denied.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
I am really back this time
What's up people,
I am really back this time. Some of you recently recieved our prayer letter. If not here is the text below. This is a brief update of our first year out here in Portland working with a church plant, Red Sea Church.
Oh, please subscribe to the posts (click on 'subscribe' at the bottom of the page). If you subscribe to my blog, you will be automatically updated in your 'feeds.' Which is under your 'favorites' on the task bar. So you won't see 'rob's blog' in your favorites but it will be under the 'feeds' section. This if for those of you new to blogging, hopefully I am explaining it well.
Dear Friends and Family,
The last time some of you heard from us you knew that God was leading us to end our work in Baltimore and move to Portland, Or to intern at a 4 year old urban church plant called Red Sea for the coming year. A year is past and so far we have had a rich and challenging time.
God has used us in several ways to help establish and grow Red Sea. Currently, I oversee our Home Community ministry (small groups), do some preaching, one-on-one discipleship, teach a gospel class, and am an ‘Elder in Training’. While Beth has primarily been busy with our 4 children (Asher Michael Steinbach was born April 22, 2006) she has recently stepped up to lead a team of adults as Red Sea’s Children’s Ministry Director. This will be the first time she has had an opportunity like this since before we had kids so she is excited.
Our kids are doing well. Miriam is in the first grade and reading at a second grade level. Samuel is in Pre-K and loving his 3-day a week class. Elena is a spunky 2 year old with attitude and our ‘Oregon baby’ Asher is the most adorable baby boy you will ever see (seriously!!). I have been deeply blessed to see my children grow as followers of Jesus. Specifically Miriam and Samuel have both placed their faith in Jesus and regularly pray to him on their own.
Some of you may be wondering now that a year is up if we are planning to return to Baltimore. Our heart for that city has not left and we regularly pray and think about the work going on there. But, God has not yet given us his next assignment and so we continue to work at planting Red Sea here and waiting on his clear call and direction. We want to be faithful with what is right in front of us (see James 4.13-17) and will certainly continue to stay in touch with all of you. As a way to do this Rob will be keeping a blog (on-line journal) his blog can be viewed at http://www.robsteinbach.blogspot.com/ (which you are doing right now).
The last time some of you heard from us you knew that God was leading us to end our work in Baltimore and move to Portland, Or to intern at a 4 year old urban church plant called Red Sea for the coming year. A year is past and so far we have had a rich and challenging time.
God has used us in several ways to help establish and grow Red Sea. Currently, I oversee our Home Community ministry (small groups), do some preaching, one-on-one discipleship, teach a gospel class, and am an ‘Elder in Training’. While Beth has primarily been busy with our 4 children (Asher Michael Steinbach was born April 22, 2006) she has recently stepped up to lead a team of adults as Red Sea’s Children’s Ministry Director. This will be the first time she has had an opportunity like this since before we had kids so she is excited.
Our kids are doing well. Miriam is in the first grade and reading at a second grade level. Samuel is in Pre-K and loving his 3-day a week class. Elena is a spunky 2 year old with attitude and our ‘Oregon baby’ Asher is the most adorable baby boy you will ever see (seriously!!). I have been deeply blessed to see my children grow as followers of Jesus. Specifically Miriam and Samuel have both placed their faith in Jesus and regularly pray to him on their own.
Some of you may be wondering now that a year is up if we are planning to return to Baltimore. Our heart for that city has not left and we regularly pray and think about the work going on there. But, God has not yet given us his next assignment and so we continue to work at planting Red Sea here and waiting on his clear call and direction. We want to be faithful with what is right in front of us (see James 4.13-17) and will certainly continue to stay in touch with all of you. As a way to do this Rob will be keeping a blog (on-line journal) his blog can be viewed at http://www.robsteinbach.blogspot.com/ (which you are doing right now).
Love,
Steinbachs
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