church – Steven Stoops — TUCOR Five One Seven Productions

Falling

With the holidays closing in, I’ve fallen a bit behind. I actually had a blog post ready to go and then completely forgot to publish it. I know – classic Boomer move. But I am an OK Boomer, so that one shouldn’t have happened. You can read that post here: Speaking of Boomer life, IContinue reading “Falling”

Why Do I Need to Be Reminded to Endure… When Our Dwelling Place Is So Peaceful?

It’s a fair question, isn’t it? If God is our refuge – our dwelling place, our home – why do we still need reminders to endure? You’d think that resting in His presence would silence all doubt. That knowing He holds us would make perseverance automatic. But life has a way of testing even theContinue reading “Why Do I Need to Be Reminded to Endure… When Our Dwelling Place Is So Peaceful?”

The Five Solas – A Reformation Reminder for Today

Every October, the world lights up with pumpkins, costumes, and candy. But October 31 isn’t just Halloween – it’s also Reformation Day, the anniversary of a moment that changed the church and the world. More than 500 years ago, a monk named Martin Luther took a hammer to a church door in Wittenberg, Germany. WhatContinue reading “The Five Solas – A Reformation Reminder for Today”

Are You Happy, Now?

I recently created a short video called Are You Happy, Now? – and the truth is, it’s something I need to take to heart as much as anyone else. Happiness doesn’t come from an easy life; it comes from belonging to God. But there’s another layer to this that’s been on my mind: gratitude. PsychologistsContinue reading “Are You Happy, Now?”

Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker

On Wednesday evening, September 10, 2025, I began praying for a woman and her children – people I have never met and probably never will. Every night since, I’ve gone to bed praying for them, and every morning I’ve woken up doing the same. Their lives were shattered when an assassin’s bullet took away aContinue reading “Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker”

The Importance of Arrows

Psalm 127:4-5 “As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.” There’s a lot of debate online about what “quiver full” means. Some argue itContinue reading “The Importance of Arrows”

Changes & Constants

Seasons change. God doesn’t. “The only constant in life is change.” Heraclitus Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:” Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Who really likes change? A pastor friend of mine has often said, “The only one whoContinue reading “Changes & Constants”

Summertime, Summertime, Sum, Sum, Summertime

The longest day of the year has come and gone—summer is officially here! With it come some of my greatest blessings: our eldest granddaughter just turned four, just two days after the solstice, and next month our second granddaughter will celebrate her very first birthday. Time truly flies. Even with the joyful chaos summer brings,Continue reading “Summertime, Summertime, Sum, Sum, Summertime”

What is Happening?

March 7, 2025 Hello all; I haven’t written for a very long time – life has a habit of getting in the way. This time of year, I usually think of working on my website, trying to publish my novel. I have had multiple obstacles on that front, and perhaps God is looking to getContinue reading “What is Happening?”

The 80/15 Principle

Many of you may be thinking that I’m referring to the book by the name, “The 80/20 Principle.” Possibly you are thinking of the Pareto Rule that asserts that 80% of outcomes (or outputs) result from 20% of all causes (or inputs) for any given event — whatever that means. More likely you believe thatContinue reading “The 80/15 Principle”