March 2010
3 posts
Blog Change
I’ve decided to shift away from using tumblr, (which was, of course, hosted off of my main site, www.stevenhovater.com), and have gone to a self-hosted wordpress blog.The new URL will be:
www.stevenhovater.com/wordpress
Besides the location and backgound stuff, (that most people won’t care about), you’ll notice some cosmetic changes, (which most people also won’t care about).
If you use a feed...
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NY Times Column on The Return of Evangelical... →
Larry James posted a link to this column by Nicholas Kristof on his blog, and I thought it was a very good description of some trends I’ve been noticing lately, gratefully.
It’s good, not because it’s trendy, or because it yields good press. It’s just right that we give much more attention to these sorts of things. Large organizations, like the ones highlighted here, are impressive, but I’m...
The Occasion of My Thirty-Second Birthday
Isn’t really all that much of an occasion, except that it marks the certainty of passing time, reminds me that the clock is ticking, and challenges me to take stock and do something with my life.
For a while I’ve thought of my life, in family, work, friendship and play, as being about creating community, and creating, protecting, and developing life as a disciple under the lordship of Jesus, and...
February 2010
8 posts
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Baptismal Discussion at Harvard Ichthus
It would be difficult to overstate the importance of a high view of baptism for the theological stance of most Churches of Christ. The predominant view of baptism’s essentiality and meaning is both characteristic of our movement’s churches and has been a controlling factor in a lot of other theological positions and practices.
I’m always interested when I see discussions pop up...
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Sonnet No. 1
I’ve been tinkering around with a bit of poetry lately. It’s not completely random; I’ve been thinking about ways I can develop my skill as a wordsmith, and poetry as a sort of discipline offers a good way of changing and developing my relationship with language. Its a part of developing the skills of preaching ministry.
This sonnet plays on that theme, of my relationship with...
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Ash Wednesday: The First Day of Lent
It is indeed Ash Wednesday, the traditional beginning of Lent, which is a period of penitence and reflection leading up to the remembrance of Jesus’ passion during Holy Week. The culmination comes with Good Friday and the celebration of the resurrection on Easter.
As a typically jolly protestant (I think of myself as typically jolly, not all protestants, who can be quite dour), Lent runs...
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Everyday, Episode 1: Dinner and a Show
This is the first in a series of posts about the sorts of things I like to do every single day.
First, the refrain for the series:
The things you do every day matter,
Over time, they shape who you become.
It’s not just big, decisive moments that shape us.
Small steps, taken consistently, are where we make up the most ground.
I want to be intentional about doing some things every day.
One...
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Conan's Farewell
I never thought I’d ever type these words, but I think Church leaders could learn a lot from Conan O’Brien. (Man, it even looks worse when I see it actually on the screen.)
Over the last year, I’ve been thinking a whole lot about church leadership transitions. We’ve been very blessed to be a part of a church that values doing that the right way, preparing for the future...
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While the Urgent Sleeps
It’s an amazing moment in the day of the toddler. After a busy morning of defending them from the world and the world from them, the parent begins to perceive that the toddler (or pair of them, in our case) begins to tire, eventually to the point where they will submit to the declaration that nap-time has indeed come. The blankets are retrieved from wherever they’ve landed, the pillows are...
January 2010
11 posts
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Storment on the "Big Lie"
I just read a pretty sweet blog entry from my friend Jonathon Storment, on consuming stories. Here’s my favorite bit:
I’m not someone who thinks that the television is the Devil, or that movies are bad. What I am concerned about, is how much we listen to alternative stories. I’m concerned that the wrong narratives might become the grid through which we view our own. Because NBC is never going to...
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Thank You, Dr. King
There are all kinds of little and big things that mark holidays like today. The mail doesn’t run, trash doesn’t get picked up, schools close. Twitter trends get dominated, major public figures take to podiums, and plenty of other folks post tributes in their own way on YouTube. Some of all that stuff is kind of crazy, but it’s all a part of our nation taking a day to stop, be...
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Freely
This year I’m working through the Greek New Testament. Here’s a bit that was in this morning’s text, from Matthew 10. It’s where Jesus is sending out the twelve.
As you go, preach, saying “The kingdom of heaven has drawn near!” heal those who are sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and throw out demons; Freely you received, freely give. (10:7-8)
That...
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Hovater's Prediction
It’s been seventeen years and six days since the ‘92 edition of the Tide whipped Miami and put Gene Stallings on their shoulders to finish Alabama’s 12th National Championship. It’s been a long time coming, but now we’re a game away from number 13. Here’s how I think it’ll shake out.
I know there are a lot of things that could go wrong in this game....
Two Odd Texts
In the readings for yesterday and today, there are a couple of odd things that made me pause, but I can’t really do a lot with them; there just isn’t much there. Check out Genesis 6:4 and 10:8-9. These both kind of read like ghost texts, echos of stories that we don’t really know much about. They’re asides to the story of Genesis. I don’t read them very often,...
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In the Beginning
Today we begin our project 4:4 journey through the word of God! I’m not going to blog the readings every day, but sure they’ll often show up here, just as I hope they show up in all sorts of conversations in our church! Remember: we read this as a community! Don’t be timid about sharing with others about how the reading is going for you, and thoughts that come to you as you...
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Prepared for Project 4:4
Reading the Bible through in 2010 is going to be a long-haul project. Here’s one thought before we launch into project 4:4 tomorrow:
We’re ready for this.
This isn’t an off-the-cuff resolution, made up on the spur of the moment. It’s not an individual effort, something I can bail out of without consequence, or something that I’m going to do all on my own without...
December 2009
28 posts
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Galatians 6:1-18
Translation
Brothers, if a man is caught in some sin, you, the spiritual ones, must restore him in a spirit of gentleness, being careful that you are not tempted yourselves. Carry each other’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if someone thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each should consider his own actions, and then have pride in himself...
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Micah snoring
WatchMaking reindeer food. As a representative of said reindeer, this is much appreciated.
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Galatians 5:16-26 Translation and Reflections
Translation
And I say, walk in the spirit and do not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the spirit, and the spirit desires what is against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, in order that you may not do whatever you desire. But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under law. But the works of the flesh are revealed, these are sexual...
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WatchThe playground at Papa’s house
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Two Sermons
I’ve been trying to keep the Sermons page of the site updated whenever I preach, but there are a couple of sermons lately that I wanted to note, but hadn’t had the chance to work into the site yet, and won’t until I’m back in Arkansas after the holiday.
One is the Project 4:4 launch sermon, which is pretty unique in that it’s purposes were both textual and...
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Galatians 5:2-15 Translation and Reflections
Translation
Listen! I, Paul, say to you that if you are circumcised, Christ will benefit you nothing. And I testify again, to every circumcised man, that you are obligated to do the whole law. You are cut off from Christ, being made righteous by law, you have fallen away from grace. For we in the spirit, by faith await the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision or...
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Clues
When I was a kid, gathering for christmas with the Stevenson clan, you had a pretty good idea what you were going to hear if you asked about a Christmas present. They didn’t mind if you asked for a hint about what you were getting, but they would always, always reply: “It’s bigger than a breadbox, smaller than a house.” Which always made me think, “What the heck?...
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"I Love Working with People _______________"
People of conviction, like Chuck Monan
People of loyal love, like Deb Watson
People who are eager to listen, like Tina Brown
People who are diligent and who care, like Ryan Rampton
People who love people who are hurting, like Hans Oliver
People who are willing to think differently, like Keith Brenton
People who just want the best for the church, like Kandi Ashford
People who are dedicated...
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WatchMaking supper! Thanks Grammy and Papa!
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Project 4:4 - The Notebooks are Here!
We are really excited to say that a lot of the notebooks for project 4:4 are going to start coming out this weekend! Kandi (in the church office) has been working really hard to get these packaged for you, and I appreciate how much time she’s put into getting all these copies made. Props, Kandi!
Here’s the deal. There is a notebook for every family. One! If you feel like...
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Galatians 4:21-5:1 Translation and Reflections
Translation
Tell me, you who want to be under the law, have you heard the law? For it has been written that Abraham had two sons, one from the slave woman and one from the free woman. But the one from the slave woman was born by way of the flesh, but the one from the free woman by way of a promise. These two are an allegory; for there are two covenants. One from Mount Sinai giving birth into...
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Galatians 4:8-20 Translation and Reflections
Translation
But then, when you did not know God, you were enslaved by those who were not by nature gods. But now that you know God, or rather, are known by God, how can you turn back again to the sick and poor elements; do you want to be enslaved again? You are keeping days, months, seasons and years. I fear for you that I have worked in vain for you.
Become as I am, because I also am like...
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WatchIzzy rocks the mike. Maybe a little bossy here, but Micah didn’t seem to mind.
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Lead From the Top of the Mood Elevator - Larry...
This is great stuff. Definitely worth reblogging! Thanks, greytshirt!
…pocket card I always carry that has a graphic that we at Senn Delaney call “The Mood Elevator.” He studied it for a few moments. The higher mood levels included adjectives like resourceful, inspired, energetic and curious. The lower levels include emotions like worried, irritated, victimized and low.
When this CEO looked...
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Ouch
If you have anything you want me to do that requires the usage of my arms, legs, or back, you had better ask tonight. After today’s workout, I feel pretty sure all those elements of me are going to be on strike for the next few days. I will still retain the usage of my mouth and quick wit. (You all have choices to make now.)
I had lost my routine for working out and running back near the...
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Roll Tide!!! Beat Florida!
Finally. It’s December 5th, a day we’ve known was coming for a while, the SEC showdown between Bama and Florida. I’m going crazy.
It’s gonna be a fight today, a knock-down drag-out fight to the finish between two excellent football teams. It’s one that could go either way, and anybody who tells you that they know for sure the winner is either a fool or is paid to...
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Galatians 4:1-7 Translation and Reflections
Translation
And I say that while the heir is still a child, he is no different than a slave, even though he is the master of everyone. But he is under the steward or manager of the house until the time set by the father. Just so we, when we were children, have been slaves under the elements of the world; but when the fullness of time came, God sent out his son, being born of a woman, being...
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Reach Out and Read
Tonight in our teen gathering (PV&J) we announced a drive to collect books for Reach Out and Read Arkansas. I hope it goes well. As I was thinking about this over the thanksgiving break, I really did think about how thankful I am to have been given the gift of literacy, one of the many advantages that I normally don’t even think about.
I grew up in a home where reading was important,...
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Galatians 3:21-29 Translation and Reflections
Translation
Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? May it never be so! For if a law capable of giving life was given, certainly justification would come from the law. But the scripture imprisoned everything under sin in order that by faith of Jesus Christ the promise might be given to the ones believing. And before faith came, we were held captive, imprisoned until faith was...