“Know thyself.” Socrates
I’m writing down this story, my story, not so much that you can know me better, but that perhaps in the process of doing this I can know myself better, or at least get a glimpse of the how, what and why of the path I’ve been on, the decisions that I’ve made and where this road may be leading.
Just the Facts
Born: Sept 21, 1962, Lock Haven, PA
Married: Linette
Children: Katelin (23), Abbie (21), Alex (16)
High School – Penns Valley, 1980
BS in Chemistry, Penn State Univ., 1985
Ph.D. Chemistry, Duke University, 1990
Eastman Chemical Company – 1990-1998 A List of Steve’s Publications
OSi Specialities: 1998-2005
MDiv, Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, KY 2010
Fairview UMC, 2000 as Assoc. Pastor
Calcutta / Nine Mile UMC Charge: 2001-2004
First United Methodist Church, Williamstown, WV: 2004-present
The older I get the less I know. If life is a story with drama and a plot, I would like to ask the Author of my story why am I here, what’s my part in the story and where will I be doing next? I do not know what will come next, I can only trust the Author to write me some good copy!
Resident Alien
“Calling is the truth that God calls us to himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion and dynamism lived out as a response to his summons and service.” [Os Guinness, The Call, page 14]
Within the call of God, we are forced to answer some very personal questions the answers to which are found as we seek personal holiness with God through Jesus Christ. Questions such as “who am I” and “how do I find and fulfill the central purpose of my life?” These are personal questions that go to the very heart of who we are and how we see our life in the context of God’s misseo dei, God’s redemptive purpose in creation.
St. Augustine once said that “You have made us for yourself, O God, and we will find no rest until we find our rest in thee.” Augustine reminds me that we are all restless seekers on a journey to find our hearts desire, and in finding our hearts desire we find God. This restlessness causes us to reach out, to search for truth, and to live within a relationship with Himself.
This is where I currently find myself. Seeking, Searching, and Sharing the Journey with others in both contemporary and ancient.
Henri Nouwen sees Ministry as “the ongoing attempt to put one’s own search for God, with all the moments of pain and joy, despair and hope, at the disposal of those who want to join this search but do not know how.” Creative Ministry, p. 114.
Other Interests (lest you think me one dimensional)
I enjoy refereeing soccer. I enjoy the engagement with the game, the dynamic of play, attitudes and behaviors of the players, coaches and fans. I’ve recently written an article on soccer behaviors entitled” Blame Game“ which details how complaining drains energy and confuses what’s really going on.
I also enjoy my family, grandson Rylan and reading, although I must confess I tend to read for information and wisdom rather than for just pleasure.
I also enjoy kayaking on the Ohio River when the weather is decent and I can get away for awhile.
I have a great shorthand teacher who is infinitely patient with me and I’ve learned shorthand, which for some strange reason has been a life goal of mine. I’m certainly not as fluent as my teacher but I’m better than I was.
I know there is more to discover, way more, so I’m not afraid to ask for guidance from more experience travelers. If you choose to come along with me on this adventure, let’s walk a bit and share our thoughts, our stories, and our faith. I have more than enough education to know how much I don’t know. So if you’re willing and patient, together we’ll open some doors we cannot open alone and challenge one another to go deeper into this mystery we call the Kingdom of God, listen to the still small voice, and experience the fullness of God’s Presence.
Welcome aboard!
Family Photos FUMC Church Website
Steve’s Podcast Steve’s Videos
Steve and Linette Gedon
Steve and Ramso at the Boys Orphanage in Bon Repo, Haiti
Use the coordinates 18 37 11.42 N 72 17 02.93W to find the Orphanage
Aren’t you amazed? Amazed that the Hound of Heaven saw more in you than you ever imagined? Aren’t you amazed that God knew you and called you in spite of you “before you were born and while you were yet in your mother’s womb?” Aren’t you amazed that God truly is in control of everything? That He allowed you to go down one path with such surety and then said, “Excuse son, wrong way. You”ve gone far enough on this of ‘two roads that diverged in a wood’ to equip part of you for your life’s mission; but now it is time to take the other path, for I see in you a Joseph, a Moses, a Paul — so brace yourself — I’m going to take you on the ride of a lifetime.”
Aren’t you glad you took “the road less traveled by” — bumps and all. By the way, Shakespeare coined the word “bump”; and speaking of Shakespeare — in “Hamlet” Polonius says to his son, “This above all to thine ownself be true.” I think God could be saying the same thing to you, one of His children; and then I think He would also say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” for accepting the call I placed upon your heart. So, let me ask you something. Suppose you would have walked away from God? What would you be doing today and would you be able to look at yourself in the mirror? Aren’t you glad God took care of all of that for you? That, as the Hound of Heaven, He pursued you and kept you from making mistakes you would regret for the rest of your life. Also, which would you rather be doing — scientific experiments or saving souls for God? That’s a no-brainer, isn’t it? Aren’t you excited? I am excited for you! You’re called by God, and you KNOW you are called by God. He’s taking you on a Journey; you never know from one minute to the next what that Journey will invove. But you know one thing and that’s all you need to know — the Leader, the Captain of that Journey has promised you “I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” WOW! What a promise from the Captain — I’m so very glad you got in the boat!!!! And I thank you for inviting me to come aboard, and I most certainly will, for what more surety and certainty could there be for me — bumps and all — than to join you and your Captain on your adventure of a lifetime in your boat named Faith.
This is my first time on this site.I was just browsing some scriptures on google
and i finally got here.
I love the living world you are sharing.I feel so blessed.
God bless you.
Thanks. Keep following and let me know what you think.
~s
I am blessed you opened my spriritual mind
thank you