ellen stevens

To accomodate the direction this site and my dreams are moving in, I’ve taken the flying leap to host my own blog!

So, please… stop by and tell me what you think.  

www.ellenstevens.com

If you are up on latest must-haves of the internet, you have definetely heard of the social network boom of Twitter. 

I must confess… when I first heard of Twitter, I jumped out and signed up for my free account. It wasn’t until after I’d posted my first two tweets that my fingertips came to a screeching halt on my typepad.
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Throughout the years, I’ve found myself shifting from one method of scripture study to another.  Sometimes I’ve studied entire whole passages.  Other times I’ve researched a topic or phrase. 

Currently, I’m in the midst of studying out a topic that seems to be ambiguous, partly because it is only mentioned once in the entire Bible.  Determining if the instruction in this passage is cultural, required by all, or merely an account of what happened can be tricky.

So, I’m curious… how do you study the Bible?  Are there any guidelines you use for interpreting and applying God’s word to your life?

Several years ago, I found myself hating Easter.

We were working with a large church, filling our Christian obligation of servitude, and participating in breathtaking productions, musically and theatrically. To celebrate the season, I was one of the Directors of an Easter drama consisting of five hundred cast members, live animals, a rockin’ band, smoke machines, laser lights, and tens of thousands of audience members. Usually showing around seventeen performances, it was a great “ministry”.

We raised money for special causes, connected with people who wouldn’t attend a normal service, and depicted the life of Christ is a personal, touchable way. The epic production gained so much notoriety that it was written up in several magazines, we were interviewed by Peter Jennings, and President Bill Clinton flew in twice for special performances. It was as invigorating as it was mind-numbing.
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I’m in a quest to simplify my life. Minimalism is my focus. No fuss. No fill. No knick-knack-paddy-whacks.

Perhaps it is just me, but I’ve recently found my time and space cluttered like a landfill posing as a life. With responsibilities piling on and people constantly tugging for my attention, it is easy to become overwhelmed and frustrated. To compensate I’ve fallen in love with minimalism. And what began as a reaction to clear my home from frivolous, unnecessary clutter has become a life-altering experience.
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This year, as we all watch the shimmy and shake of presidential hopefuls jockeying for American’s favor, I find myself caught in a refreshing twist of opportunity.

In my Independent, happily non-political mind, I have come to the general acceptance that the Democratic Party has the greatest chance of taking the White House. And while I’m certain there are reasons to be concerned with this, I find myself quite excited about the possibility. As I look at the two prospective options for Democratic presidents, I feel a tremendous sense of hope; albeit, for entirely non-political and non-issue reasons.
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It has been 271 days since our dossier was completed and ready for action in Ethiopia. And that is after the prior months of forms, fingerprints, interviews, home visits, background checks, references, and more forms.

We are now in the middle of the waiting game. And so, we wait. and wait. and wait. and wait.
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Yesterday at The Journey, we felt led to make a change to the general path of our services and embarked on a prayer journey.  

As a group we walked through thanksgiving, worship, repentance, meditation, intercession, supplication, and worship, again.  It was an amazing venture.   Some who were frequent travelers on this trip, loved praying with others once again.  Others who were new to the sights along the prayer path, felt their hearts lift as God showed them a glimpse of what he has in store for them.   

In my personal prayer journey, I am ready for more. I am sick of easy, breezy christianity, religious tradition and church culture expectations.  I have never wished to live a normal life.  I dread the common.  I dream of an extreme relationship with my creator.  I want the real deal: the raw presence of God in my life.  Transparency and authenticity of spirit is what I long for.  That I disappear and his grace shine in my place, is my prayer.  

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