Potiphar’s Wife

I was in high school when I had an epiphany about the story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife from Genesis 39. I even wrote a song about it. The song wasn’t any good, but I remember that Dad was predictably impressed. (He was always impressed by his kids and grand kids, and he wasn’t shy about praising them.) The story spoke to me because Potiphar’s wife represented any sin or temptation that I was struggling with, and Joseph’s response illustrated one way to deal with that temptation. He fled. That isn’t a very manly thing to do, to run away and not even face down your enemy. It seems to show weakness in the face of temptation. However, throughout my adult life I’ve applied the tactic multiple times. Continue reading Potiphar’s Wife

Stickers and Shirt Wedgies

My family loves to joke around. My Dad, my brothers, and now my kids. We have thick skin. We insult each other. We laugh. It’s good fun. Our church has name tag stickers. Davin gets a kick out of discreetly placing them on people after the service. He’ll collect a bunch of stickers from folks and then unleash his quirky mayhem. It’s particularly enjoyable to put a sticker on a baby’s hand, or on their forehead right between the eyes where they can’t reach it. Free comedy at its best until they start crying. When Davin is really on top of his game, you’ll see name tags on people’s stomachs, in their hair, the back of their legs, on their arms, and if you look around you’ll see Davin nearby with his hand over his mouth shaking in silent laughter. That’s the backdrop for our recent trip to the Olive Garden, where they’ve got a brand new addition to the kids’ menu … cute little Olive Garden stickers. Continue reading Stickers and Shirt Wedgies

Davin’s Minecraft Birthday

I’m beginning to realize why the youngest child gets treated differently. In many ways that child is the parents’ last link to the world of the young married couple As that child grows older we become more aware of our own age, and how quickly time inexorably flows forward. I sat down with Davin a few weeks ago to help him pick out the gifts he wanted for his 11th birthday. Two things struck me about that experience. First, he is obsessed with Minecraft. It seemed like every gift he chose was related to Minecraft in some way. Second, he is still a kid. He picked out toys. They were the types of things that I knew he would delight in when opened, but then forget about a month later. I nostalgically recalled the joy of giving those types of presents to the kids at Christmas and birthdays, and I realized that we didn’t have many opportunities like this left. Our kids are growing up, and toys will soon be replaced by gift cards. Then and there I decided to make Davin’s 11th birthday a special one. Thus, the Minecraft Birthday was born. Continue reading Davin’s Minecraft Birthday

Stay Calm, It’s Just a Job

It is important to do a good job. I take my job seriously. I want the respect of my coworkers, and it is important that they can rely on me to complete my tasks. Like many, I often encounter frustrating situations that are outside of my control. We’ve seen a lot of those at work recently and someone complimented me on my poise and calm in the face of yet another scene straight out of Dilbert. I realized that part of my poise can be attributed to my personality, which I don’t take credit for. The other part of it I do take credit for, my perspective. Continue reading Stay Calm, It’s Just a Job

2010: The Year of Change

It seems to me that we need things in our lives that push us and twist us out of our comfort zones. Oftentimes this makes us uncomfortable, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I was nervous beyond all reason when I gave Lianne carnations back in high school. Lianne and I were shocked and excited when we found out we were pregnant with Jaron. I used to get sick to my stomach every evening before my band performed a show. Those stretching moments represent some of the best opportunities for all of us to experience life and to launch ourselves and those around us into greater things. 2010 was filled with those kinds of moments for our family and we’re looking forward to seeing where they take us. Continue reading 2010: The Year of Change

Holding On to the Sticker

I kept one of the stickers. I probably got a dozen of them altogether, but I eventually threw them all away. The ones from Sentara Princess Anne Hospital had my picture on them. I smiled because I always smile. I think I wore the same ODU t-shirt for over a week straight. Those stickers are gone. The visitor sticker I got from Portsmouth Naval Hospital on April 22nd, 2013, however, is still affixed to my dresser. I see it every day. It is painful if I stop and think about it. Maybe I should get rid of it. Not yet. It’s a piece of Dad. It’s a reminder that he was real. It wasn’t so long ago that I was talking to him. See? I still have this sticker to prove it.

Continue reading Holding On to the Sticker

Supertones Was His Name by Rob Stevenson

(April 12, 2006) – Supertones was his name, after a Christian band popular in the 90s.  I didn’t want this active, little Dalmatian puppy 10 years ago when he came to us, but Bev and I felt like the Lord was saying, “Take him.”  So we did.  About a week later, he contracted parvo virus, a deadly infection that few animals recover from.  He was a deathly ill little pooch.  One night, after many days of him not eating and being extremely sluggish, I stayed up all night with him.  I cradled Supertones in my arms, and hand fed him.  To my joy, he started nibbling on some regular dog food in the wee hours of that morning ordeal.  I was thrilled!  It was the beginning of his come back.  Continue reading Supertones Was His Name by Rob Stevenson

Dad’s Memorial Service

Rob Stevenson was greatly admired and loved. There are many around the country however, and in far corners of the world, who could not attend Dad’s memorial service. So, this is a recap of the viewing, graveside service, and memorial service. I’m writing it up from memory, and I’ve included some videos and pictures as well. It is for those folks who couldn’t make it, for others who just want to remember, and for me.

It was two days after Dad passed away. The four boys and Mom sat down around the conference table with Pastor John to plan the memorial service. He started on a somber tone. It wasn’t long before one of us cracked a joke. I don’t remember the specifics, but it was surely inappropriate on some level given the setting. We all laughed. I peeked at Mom. She was smiling. I figured we’d be OK. Continue reading Dad’s Memorial Service