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Please check back August 18th for Pastor Stan’s next blog!

I came across a very encouraging read that I want to share with you.  (Sorry I do not know the source)

If you know anything about modern helicopters, you’ll recognize the name Igor Sikorsky. Growing up in Russia at the turn of the 20th century, he was told by his parents that man would never fly—it was impossible. But after the Wright Brothers disproved that theory, Sikorsky dreamed of an aircraft that could take off and land vertically. He built his first helicopter in 1909 at the age of 20. He eventually moved to America and established a helicopter factory. Igor Sikorsky died in 1972, but today, Sikorsky helicopters are the fastest, finest helicopters flying in the world. They supply most of the helicopters for the U.S. Armed Forces including Marine One, which shuttles the President of the United States.

When Sikorsky opened his first plant in America he posted a sign in the factory that read:

“According to recognized aero-technical tests, it’s impossible for a bumblebee to fly because of the shape and weight of his body in relation to the total wing area. The bumblebee doesn’t know this, so he goes ahead and flies anyway. The word ‘impossible’ means nothing!” If I had the power to do it, I would have every person walk out of this room and never use the word “impossible” again. In fact a long time ago, I took my old paper dictionary and I cut the word “impossible” out of my dictionary! If you ask me what are the implications of doing that—I don’t know what the word “implication” means because it got cut out on the other side of the page from “impossible!”

Do you need a miracle today? There are five words that can change your life. They are: WITH GOD, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE! Do you believe that? What impossible situation are you facing right now? Fill in this blank: “With God, (blank) is possible!” Are you thinking it’s impossible to get out of debt? Say, “With God, getting out of debt is possible!” Are you struggling with depression or despair and seeking peace of mind? Say, “With God, peace of mind IS possible!” I know some of you are looking for work right now and it seems impossible. Will you say, “With God, getting a job IS possible!” Go ahead and fill in your impossibility.

But if you want God to do the impossible in your life, you’ve got to be willing to surrender to His plan. When Gabriel announced to Mary that God wanted to use her to be the mother of the Savior, Mary had a choice. She could have said, “Find another girl.” But she made herself available to God. “‘I am the Lord’s servant.’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’” (Luke 1:38) So, do you want a miracle? Do you want God to do the impossible? Remember this: When I merge my inability with my availability, God’s supernatural capability is released. Will you say, “Lord, may it be to me as you desire?” When you fully surrender your life to Him you can expect to see Him do the impossible in your life!

I hope this article was an encouragement to you.

 Be Blessed,

Stan

We live in a culture that bombards us with advertisement telling us what is important in life.

You need to drive this type of car…you need to wear this type of clothing …you need this….you need that … need to vacation here…it is endless. It can make you crazy if you let it. Paul summarizes in the Bible what is the most important thing in life….that is learning to love….Col.3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

If that’s true, and of course it is, then what is love? 

In my study this week I came across a great quote about what love is…

Love is when I make your needs my needs.  Love is when I make your problems my problems.  Love is when I take your concerns and I become concerned about them.  Love is giving a person what they need not what they deserve.

When you think about it… that is exactly what God has done with you and I. God doesn’t give you what you deserve.  If God gave you what you deserved, you wouldn’t be alive and able to read this blog. (And I certainly wouldn’t be around to write it!).  God doesn’t give you what you deserve.  He gives you what you need.  You need forgiveness, love, and encouragement.  In fact, everything you have in life is a gift from God.  God says I want you to receive my love and I want you to learn to pass it on.

Ecclesiastes 7:2 “It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.”

The reason that God’s word says it is better to be at a funeral then a party…is it’s a reminder of how fragile life is.

James 4:14 says, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

I just came back from doing a funeral this morning for a man that went into the hospital for a simple operation – but complications set in that led to his death. This guy was not planning to die when he did.

But since life is like a vapor that appears for a little while and then passes away….it was his time to go.

Our lives are very fragile and we never know when it will be our time.

That is why it is so important for us to understand what life is all about.

What do I believe about life?

What are the important things in life?

What really matters when life comes to an end?

What do I believe about death – life after death?

What place has God in my life?

Do I believe that Jesus died on the cross FOR ME so that I may not fear death?

The Bible lays it out in a very simple way – love God and love others.

Dr. James Dobson said one time, “There are only three things that matter in life, The people you Love…

The people that Love you… And where you’re going when you die.”
I encourage you today…

Make sure Jesus is in the right place in your heart.
Keep short accounts with others.

Love God and Love others.

 Be Blessed,

Stan

This past Sunday I returned home from a 10-day mission trip to Nicaragua.  The team I was a part of built several small homes for some very needy people, provided medical clinics to a local neighborhood and did drama at some area schools.

I was reminded of something on this trip…

As you look around at the world and see the need and pain in people’s lives you can become overwhelmed to a point of becoming paralyzed and begin thinking, “What is the use?  The need is too overwhelming…what difference can I make?” and we end up doing nothing.

Here is what I was reminded of:  As we completed the two small homes this thought came to me – I may not be able to change the world, but I helped change the world for these two families who needed a safe and secure home to raise a family in.  The Bible says this…”just as you have done it to the least of these you have done it unto me.”  Do not underestimate the impact you have on the people around you.  You don’t have to go overseas to impact people (although I think everybody should experience at least once in their life time an overseas mission trip).

That neighbor who just lost their spouse to cancer…that co-worker who recently went through a divorce that is filled with shame and a sense of failure.  You can be Jesus to that person just by letting them know that you care.  By offering a listening ear and being there for them.

Be blessed and be a blessing to somebody this week,

 Stan

There will be no blog posting this week due to Pastor Stan being out of the country with the Nicaragua Mission Team.  Please keep the team in your prayers as they minister to the people of Nicaragua.

I am leaving today with an amazing group of people for Nicaragua!  We are linking up with Youth With a Mission in that country to do medical clinics, build several small houses for some very needy families and working with children – teaching them about the love of God.  Please pray for the teams protection and that we would have favor with the people that we encounter.

You may not be able to go on an overseas mission trip this summer, but see yourself as a change agent right where you are at – in your realm of influence.  There are people in your community, in your neighborhood, that need to be reminded of the fact that there is a God that is madly in love with them.  Show the love of God with your words, actions and attitudes.

Be Blessed,

Stan

 I don’t know if you ever heard the joke about a wealthy man who was terminally ill. The doctor said,
“There’s only one thing that will save you. A brain transplant. It’s an experimental operation. And it’s very expensive.”
The wealthy guy said, “Money is no object. Can you get me a brain?”
The doctor said, “We have three available right now. The first one was from a college professor. But it’ll cost you $10,000.”
The guy said, “Don’t worry. I can pay. What about the second brain?”
The doctor said, “It was from a rocket scientist. It’ll cost you $100,000.”
The man said, “I have the money. And I’d be a lot smarter too. But tell me about the third brain.”
The doctor said, “The third brain is from a Chicago Bear football player. But it would set you back a million dollars.”
The man said, “A million dollars? Why so much for his brain?”
The doctor said, “It’s never been used.”

I admit it is a corny joke – but there is some truth we can find in it.

Some Christians are like that football player. We have gifts and talents that have never been used.

Maybe you have the gift of counsel or encouragement – or maybe you have the ability to sing or play an instrument.

Or maybe you are right now you are saying – I don’t have a clue what my gift might be!

Here is the deal – you need to step out in faith and say, “Lord, here I am! I am willing to do whatever I can do to serve you God.”

And don’t be afraid to fail.  If you try working with kids and it is not your cup of tea – try another area.  Remember God has a special place for you – it may take a couple attempts at different things to find out what that is.

Back in 1978, Bob Dylan became a Christian. A short time later, he wrote the following words to this song:

“You have given everything to me.
What can I do for You?
You have given me eyes to see.
What can I do for You?

Pulled me out of bondage and You made me renewed inside,
Filled up a hunger that had always been denied,
Opened up a door no man can shut and You opened it up so wide
And You’ve chosen me to be among the few.
What can I do for You?”

Every Christian should ask that same question: “Lord, what can I do for you? 

What can I do for you at my job?

What can I do for at home?

What can I do for you in my community?
What can I do for you in my Church?

What can I do for you at my school?

What is God calling you to do today?

 Blessings,

Pastor Stan

In my study time, I came across this great piece that I wanted to share with you. Patience, trust and faith go hand – in – hand and this is some encouragement for the journey.

                                             THE PATIENCE OF FAITH
“Because thou hast kept the word of My patience.” Revelation 3:10
Patience is more than endurance. A saint’s life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says – “I cannot stand any more.” God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God’s hands. For what have you need of patience just now? Maintain your relationship to Jesus Christ by the patience of faith. “Though He slay me, yet will I wait for Him.”
Faith is not a pathetic sentiment, but robust vigorous confidence built on the fact that God is holy love. You cannot see Him just now, you cannot understand what He is doing, but you know Him. Shipwreck occurs where there is not that mental poise which comes from being established on the eternal truth that God is holy love. Faith is the heroic effort of your life; you fling yourself in reckless confidence on God.
God has ventured all in Jesus Christ to save us, now He wants us to venture our all in abandoned confidence in Him. There are spots where that faith has not worked in us as yet, places untouched by the life of God. There were none of those spots in Jesus Christ’s life, and there are to be none in ours. “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee.” The real meaning of eternal life is a life that can face anything it has to face without wavering. If we take this view, life becomes one great romance, a glorious opportunity for seeing marvelous things all the time. God is disciplining us to get us into this central place of power.

Blessings,
Pastor Stan

Chuck Swindoll in his book, “You and Your Child” shares how the Houston Police Department came up with “Twelve Rules for Raising Juvenile Delinquent Children.”

I want to share them with you.

1. Begin with infancy to give the child everything he wants. In this way he will grow up to believe the world owes him a living.

2. When he picks up bad words, laugh at him. This will make him think that it is cute.

3. Never give him any spiritual training. Wait until he is twenty-one and then let him “decide for himself.’

4. Avoid use of the word “wrong.” It may develop a guilt complex. This will condition him to believe later, when he is arrested for stealing a car, that society is against him and he is being persecuted.

5. Pick up everything he leaves lying around. Do everything for him so that he will be experienced in throwing all responsibility on others.

6. Let him read any printed matter he can get his hands on. Be careful, that the silverware and drinking glasses are sterilized, but let his mind feast on garbage.

7. Quarrel frequently in the presence of your children. In this way they won’t be shocked when the home is broken up later.

8. Give a child all the spending money he wants. Never let him earn his own.

9. Satisfy his every craving for food, drink and comfort. See that every sensual desire is gratified.

10. Take his side against neighbors, teachers and policemen. They are all prejudiced against your child.

11. When he gets into real trouble, apologize for yourself by saying, “I never could do anything with him.”

12. Prepare for a life of grief. You will likely have it.

This is a sober reminder of the importance of loving our kids enough to place boundaries and discipline in their lives.

The fact of the matter is, that no matter what age we are – we need boundaries and discipline in our life.

Be Blessed,
Stan