Do yourself a favor... Read this book!

Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith

By Anne Lamott / Random House, Inc

I guess this book could also have been called The Road Less Traveled, but that name was already taken. I am always amazed at the individual care God uses when bringing us to faith. Never the same path for any two of us, even when we have similar backgrounds.

I will be honest with you, reviews are split on this book, primarily along liberal/conservative lines. I can only say that I found this book to be life changing... in a good way! I'm not going to be condescending and mock those who don't feel it's their cup of tea. I can understand that. But I have to say that I'm a better person because I read it. God met me in the pages of this book and used it to open my heart.

I read it after church last Sunday and I loved it. It's interesting to me that in reading many of the reviews people had a sense that Lamott was now their friend. I can certainly appreciate that. The writing is so honest that when I finished the book I felt like I wanted to call Lamott and catch up on old times... and to thank her for being such a good friend.

God is awesome. Lamott's life and work is certainly a testament to that. I thank them both for sharing.

I've been scandalized!

A Scandalous Freedom: The Radical Nature of the Gospel

By Steve Brown / Howard Books

This book was profoundly disturbing to me. Not because of the subject matter. Steve Brown often speaks and writes about Christian freedom. But never before have I heard him admit to being a stinking Republican. Okay to be honest, I added the "stinking" adjective.

I have read several of Brown's previous books and consider them to be outstanding resources for living the life God wants me to live. This book is no exception. I have to ask however, was it really necessary to make such a confession? How can I recover from such disconcerting news?

Brown recounts for us in this book, the moment when he admitted to his fellow seminary students that he was a conservative. His decription is so vivid that I can actually imagine their horror.

One of many valid points that Brown makes is that we do harm to ourselves and a great disservice when we marginalize, catagorize and avoid those whose views differ from our own. He encorages us to participate in open, honest dialogue with these... people. This is easier said than done owing to the passion with which we hold these views.

He does more than simply offer platitudes about how we should live. He actually practices what he preaches. He counts among his friends, Tony Campolo and Ann Lamott, two wonderful Democrats. If I someday get to meet Brown, I hope he will count me among his friends as well. I consider him to be a man of God and an excellent teacher. I mean, you gotta love the guy. Something must just happen to his mind when he walks into a voting booth.

I give this book 5 stars because it speaks to a truth that is often ignored and seldom taught. Christ has made us free, but we usually don't live like it.

I have really covered just a small part of the book. Brown writes very little about politics, but I was so stunned, that I was distracted from writing about anything else.

With his admission of conservative tendencies, Brown has helped me avoid one of the pitfalls he cites in chapter six, Hero Worship. (I was going to buy him a "star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but this book has changed my mind about that!)

This is another great book from Steve Brown. I believe you will benefit from reading and applying the truths taught in this book. It has been a real blessing to me.

24 YEARS OF BLISS

Wow! Today is my 24th Wedding anniversary. I am especially happy to have reached this point because my lovely wife, Judy, had open heart surgery this past week. She got to come home yesterday and that makes me very happy. She is doing very well.

My youngest, Caryn, had her 22nd birthday on Thanksgiving Day. She was born on Thanksgiving, too. She is a wonderful lady and a good friend. It has been my pleasure to have her home this past week. She is a lot of fun to kid around with.

My fantasy footballl team is in first place this year. I haven't lost a game since the first week of the season. The playoffs start in three weeks and I hope to recapture the crown. Go Jackrabbits!

In closing today, I'll say that God is good. He certainly has many other wonderful attributes, but that one seems to sum it up pretty well. May God bless you all!!!

Happy 4th Birthday, Mercedes!

My granddaughter is four years old today. She is so beautiful... and I'm not saying that just because she's MY granddaughter, She really is beautiful, as you can see for yourself! I pray that God will bless her as she grows and that she'll love him with all her heart and grow more lovely with each year and have a compassionate heart. Happy birthday, Sweetie!!!!

I guess I should update my last post. Although I hate to say it, I lost the Lasso Football League championship for the second year in a row. This was a repeat of Lasso Bowl I, as far as the teams go. This time the results were reversed. I don't remember the final score (how convenient), but I got whipped pretty good by my brother, Jeff.

Speaking of brothers (and sisters), all of my siblings (all seven) were in town this past week. It was the first time we have all been together in about eight years. And it was te first time we've had our picture taken together since 1980. The 1980 picture is already on my website and I'll post the new one for comparison as soon as I get a chance. My parents were here, too. I think everyone had a good time, at least I know that I had a great time and I'm glad they were all here.

Oh, I lost 6 more pounds last week, bringing my total since 11/15/2004 to 46 pounds. I would lie to thank my wife, Judy for all of her help. Without her meal preparation and encouragement, I probably wouldn't have made it this far.

Hello 2005!

Well, today finds me with a couple of items on my mind. Let me start with less important and work my way up.

Lasso Football League: This is a Fantasy Football League that I participate in with my dad, my brothers, a nephew, and a couple of friends of the family. Today marks the end of our sixth season and I am playing in the championship game for the sixth time. I won 4 of the previous 5, all but last year when I was dethroned for the first time. I'm hoping to beat my brother Jeff today and regain the title. However, I'm losing at the moment.

The call for 2005: DISCIPLESHIP. Okay, I'll admit that's not very original. You've probably heard it before. I don't even want to call it by that name. I'd rather think of it as trusting and loving God completely. I have been less than successful in this venture in the past. Maybe I never truly aspired to it. It's even possible that I had an inadequate understanding of discipleship. I want my life to be different, starting today. I want to please God. Anything less will be a disappointment, not to Jesus, but to myself. How will this display itself in my life this year? I can only say that I HOPE and pray that it will manifest itself in greater love for all of God's creation, especially for hurting people. I'll keep you updated here.

Good-bye 2004!

I am making a commitment to post something here at least every week during 2005. I have felt for awhile that I was remiss in making my thoughts and feelings available to others. Maybe you're thinking, "Boy, Steve... not arrogant or self-important are we?"

Well, no, not really. I just feel that there are thoughts and opinions that I am supposed to share. So here it comes.

Biggest disappointment of 2004: The re-election of George Bush. I don't like him. I don't like what he's doing to my country. I don't like his philosophy. And perhaps worst of all, I hate the fact that he has convinced so many people that he is a Christian. Although that may be true, I just don't think he emits a true picture of what a Christian is supposed to be. To quote one of my favorite bumper stickers: "When Jesus said love your enemies, I think he probably meant don't kill them."

Biggest thrill: My middle son, Steven, got married to Nicole Norton, and I got to perform the wedding.

Saddest moment: The day my Granny Lee died (December 30th). She was 94 years old.

Happiest day at work: The day I was promoted from a Customer Service Manager to a Project Manager. More money, a job I really like, and no more employees. Win-win-win.

Biggest change: My wife, Judy, has lost 170 pounds in 2004. She looks even better than the day we got married. I'm really proud of her. She's worked very hard.

Best book I read this year: The Signature of Jesus by Brennan Manning. You won't be satisfied with your faith in God after you read this. You will aspire to a deeper relationship with Jesus.

My prayer for 2005: Like the prayer of Saint Francis, I want to be an instrument of God's peace and love. And I want God's best for you and your loved ones.

Home is home

I am back... and mostly in one piece. The worst part was the travel; three planes going and three planes to return again. A close second in the worst department would be the "shuttle" that transported us from the hotel to our car. I fell once getting out of it and every time I had to ride it was an adventure.
Kudos to my brother-in-law, Neil, for taking us to the airport and picking us up when we got home last night. He even got the car washed while we were gone. His effort is truly appreciated. Additional kudos to Avis car rental. They went the extra mile for us. Also, thanks to our red cap in St. Thomas. We'd probably still be stuck in the airport if not for his help. And thanks to most of our flight crews from American Airlines. All of them (except maybe the last one) went out of their way to make us comfortable and were far superior to the flight crews we experienced the last time we flew (on Southwest). Finally, thanks to our fellow passengers who put up with us with such kindness and compassion.
Okay, I'll post some pictures to stevelee.us as soon as I get a chance to retrieve and upload them.

On Vacation

My wife and I are going on a dream vacation, at least I hope that's what it is. We're going to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and we leave tomorrow. I haven't been to an airport since 9-11 and our plane leaves at 5:46 AM. I hope everything goes smoothly. We have two plane changes to make. Please pray for us. I hope to have lots of really cool pictures to post when we get back.
Home

Nicknames

When I was growing-up, I made up nicknames for all my siblings. The first one went to my brother, Jim. I called him Ug (Lee). After awhile he started to call me Home (Lee). I decided that this would at least provide an interesting name for this page.

And so we begin...