TRIBUTE to Lester Steen (15 Jan 1931 – 19 April 2015)

(Pictures Follow Post)

 

My sweet husband, Pastor Arland, has a sweet family.  He and his wonderful sister, Sharon – whom I call “Sissy”, are blessed with a rich legacy of warm and loving followers of Christ from both sides of their family tree.  Last year, I had the pleasure of going to South Carolina to meet members of their mother’s family in the spring and to Minnesota and Iowa to meet members of their father’s family in the fall.  Both welcomed me in a way that has forever sealed them in my heart.  I am proud to have been graphed in to, both, the Saleeby and Steen families.  But since both of their parents, Louise and Merlin Steen, went to be with the Lord before I met Arland, I still had a void in the part of my heart that was reserved for mother and father-in-law.  That’s where Lester Steen stepped in.

Lester Steen is the younger brother of Arland and Sharon’s father, Merlin.  They were 2 of 4 brothers along with Carsten and Arthur, with 1 sister, Crystal.  When Merlin transitioned from this life, Lester extended a fatherly covering to Arland & Sharon AND to me. He made the deliberate effort to do so even before I had the opportunity to meet him.  He made it a point to include me on calls he made to Arland.  He included me on cards, letters and even gifts he sent.  He always let us know that he was praying for us.  The area of void in my heart began to fill.  When I finally met Uncle Les, the largeness of the love he showed me filled that area to overflowing. He hugged me like he had known me all of my life, he held my hand while we talked.  When we took family pictures I sat with him.  He became a father-in-law to me.  I received a letter from Uncle Les a few months ago.  The letter told me how much he loved me and felt close to me, even though we had been acquainted a relatively short time.  He thanked me for coming into the family, for loving Arland, and reminded me that he was always praying for me.  Knowing that you are loved in the way that Lester Steen gave love can give you wings.  It is not a surprise that his children Bob, Bill and Barb are all lovely, wonderful people.  I get warm fuzzies whenever I think of any one of them.  Lester Steen leaves an amazing legacy of love with all who were blessed to have made his acquaintance, but especially with those of us who are part of his family.

 

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."  John 15:12

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The rest of this blog installment is written by a guest blogger by the name of Sharon Steen - my sister-in-law, my “Sissy”.  This is her tribute to Uncle Les and encouragement to her cousins (but I’m going to take some for myself):

‘”So many thoughts and things I could say about my dear uncle Les. He was such a sweet person, humble, gentle, thoughtful, loving, the list could go on and on as I know you all well know.

When my dad passed away he did his best to fill his place in many ways. He was giving when I know he didn't have a lot to give, but did it anyway out of love and concern for me. We had such inspiring conversations about heaven and the joy of seeing Jesus one day. That was what he lived for, to lead others to know Jesus as he did. And I'm sure you can all agree he did an excellent job. He led with his life.

I would encourage each of my cousins to help carry the legacy that our parents have left us with pride.  That legacy is one of strong faith and endurance to run the race set before us with joy and never giving up on the prize - seeing Jesus one day soon and all our loved ones face to face once again. Oh, what a happy day! Love you all.”

 

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Uncle Les' Bible and Prayer List
(Yes, Sharon & I are both on the List!)

 

 

Uncle Les and His Children

(Clockwise from Top - Bill, Bob & Barb)

 

 

 

Uncle Les and Barbara A. Steen - Cutest St. Patrick's Day Pic Ever!

(Wife of Grandson, Ryan)

 

 

Uncle Les Looking Good

 

Scriptural View of Interracial Marriage - Part II

Contrast the fact of Moses’ marriage to Zipporah with the Lord’s displeasure with the Israelites when they took wives of the foreign people in the last part of the book of Ezra.  Chapter 9:1 describes the issue this way, they had “not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices”.  Verse 11 gives the specific command from God, “‘The land which you are entering to possess is an unclean land, with the uncleanness of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations which have filled it from one end to another with their impurity.   Now therefore, do not give your daughters as wives for their sons, nor take their daughters to your sons; and never seek their peace or prosperity, that you may be strong and eat the good of the land, and leave it as an inheritance to your children forever.”   Verse 14 asks, “Shall we then break your commands again and intermarry with the peoples who commit such detestable practices?” 

With consideration to both of these situations, it is crystal clear that it’s not ethnicity but allegiance to Him that makes the difference to God.  God does not want His holy people led into spiritual infidelity with those who participate in heathen practices.   It doesn’t matter where you come from or who you come from.  Acts 10:34 & 35 confirm this, ‘Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.  But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”’ 

Outward appearance, including skin color, really is a non-issue to the Lord.  1 Samuel 16:7 says, “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  As we seek to be more like Him, it seems that skin color would become less of an issue to us too. 

Here are a few more scripture references that support this truth:

·        Acts 17:26-28 says:  And (God) hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.  

·        1 Corinthians 12:13 says:  For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

·        Galatians 3:26-29:  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. 

So according to scripture, God shows no partiality.  He has made us of one blood, baptized us into one body, & made us to drink into one spirit. Since we – that is you, me and anyone else who has accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior - are in Christ, we are all accepted by Him.  With that as the case, shouldn’t we accept each other?  God proves throughout His Word that He loves the people who make up His body – all of us.  Any doctrine contrary to that, truly is a doctrine of demons.  Realize that the enemy wants the body of Christ to be divided by any means possible.  Don’t let him use racial issues to deceive you into helping him. 

 

 

Scriptural View of Interracial Marriage - Part I

Forgive me for doing this, but I must break this post into two installments.  I appreciate your support, so I want to be respectful of your time.  This topic is important to me for reasons that are obvious, but more important than the obvious reason is because there are those who would seek to deceive us about the character of God.  How dare someone bring reproach on the name of my God accusing Him of being a respecter of persons on the basis of color?  That is going too far!

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Pastor Arland is from a line of proud Norwegians and, what is not as apparent, a line of strong Lebanese Christians. I am descended from noble Black tribes of Africa, and a number of non-black influences from here in these Unites States.  Both of us were born here, and are patriotic American citizens.  We vote and pay taxes.  However, more than anything else, both of us find our identity in Christ.  “In Him we live, and move, and have our being.”  But we knew it would be only a matter of time before someone took issue with the fact of our differing ethnic backgrounds – the fact of Arland’s ‘whiteness’ and my ‘blackness’ - then attempt to justify their racism with the Bible.  That day has come. 

Imagine a world where everything we encountered had exactly the same color and texture.  How long would it take for you to become bored out of your mind?  Being the creative genius He is, God put variation in every physical thing He made.   He alone is capable of placing any of an infinite number of variations in an organism and still have that organism remain the same species as another.  He proved that with flowers, trees, members of the animal kingdom and with human beings.  Some attempt to place values on the variations that He provided, but many times ‘different is just different – not necessarily better or worse’. 

Race, ethnicity, and skin color are areas where some get tied up in knots, bent out of shape, and hot under the collar trying to place value judgements on variations associated with one group or another.  I call that a colossal waste of time because God has already addressed those issues in His word.  The color of a person’s skin has never been an issue to God, He made us all.  He loves us all.  He does, however, have an issue with our being unequally yoked with unbelievers.  And that is not because He doesn’t love unbelievers, but because it increases the possibility of being enticed away from Him.  And we all know that unbelievers come in a wide range of colors.

Consider the fact of Moses’ marriage to and children with an Ethiopian (Cushite) woman, Zipporah.  Consider God’s swift response when Moses’ sister and brother spoke against her.  Racism was unacceptable to God then, and it remains unacceptable to Him now.  The Lord had no issue with that union because Zipporah and her family were believers in the one true God.  

TO BE CONTINUED

Please join me next week for the conclusion of this post.

 

Much Too High A Price

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

The love that God has for us is some over the top kind of love.  Consider how unkind and unsympathetic we can be to each other at times , and how negligent and plain old sinful we can be towards Him -- He still loves us enough to have given His absolute best for us.  Would you do that….for anyone?  Would you do that for someone who doesn’t spend time with you, puts everything and everyone else ahead of you, takes time to speak to you only when they want something from you?  Would you do it for someone who takes all the good you have, but doesn’t give back?  Would you do it for someone who doesn’t acknowledge you buts acts like they are entitled to everything you have – but blames you and complains like a magpie when things don’t go their way?  Father God sent His Son, Jesus, to suffer so we don’t have to.  Would you send your child to slaughter for someone who treats you the way we tend to treat God?  It boggles the mind, but I thank God for His love and mindfulness toward us.

Today is called Good Friday to remind us of the goodness of God to send His Son to die for us because of His great love. We remember that Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. It is followed by Resurrection Day (Easter), the celebration of the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ over sin and death. 

When I was a teenager, Larnelle Harris released a song called “Much Too High A Price”.  It’s an oldie but I love that song.  I love it because it inspires me to press on, to live the life that Christ shed His blood and gave His life for me to have.  Take a few minutes, if you will, and ponder the words to this song.  Or click the YouTube link and listen with your eyes closed:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr35pZux6p0

 Much Too High A Price

Your love endured the cross
Despising all the shame
That afternoon when midnight fell
Your suffering cleared my name
And that sin-swept hill became
The open door to paradise
The cost was great yet you paid the price

You paid much too high a price for me
In tears and blood and pain
To have my soul just stirred at times
Yet never truly change
You deserve a fiery love
That won't ignore your sacrifice
Because you paid much too high a price

Your grace inspires my heart
To rise above the sin
Of all the earthly vanity
That seeks to draw me in
Then to tell a jaded world of love
That truly saved a life
A love that paid
Much too high a price

Consider the love of God, the sacrifice of Jesus.  God gave His best. Jesus gave His all.  What will you give?  How will you live?  Will His sacrifice for you be in vain?