stanpavkovich

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

This weekend is Mother’s Day. It is a time set aside to honor and show appreciation to the person that brought us into the world, nurtured us and cared for us – our mothers.

So often whether you are a mother or not, we forget how our lives can impact not only people currently around us, but also can impact future generations. One such person is Naomi, a mother whose story is found in the Old Testament; a story that is often overlooked.

Her family had to move to a foreign country because of a terrible famine. And while they were there, her sons married. But in time, her husband and sons died and she decided it was time to return to her home in Bethlehem.

Here is the cool thing… she was so dedicated to God, that her daughter-in-law, Ruth decided she wanted that life for herself as well. Ruth was so impressed by the dedication of Naomi’s life to God, she told Naomi, “Your people shall be my people and your God shall be my God.” From that day forward Ruth turned her back on the old life she used to live and embraced a new life she found in God.

Because of Naomi’s influence, Ruth influenced her family, and Ruth’s love for God was so powerful that her great grandson became one of the most influential men of the Old Testament – David, King of Israel.

Ultimately, Ruth is one of the few women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
All this took place because one woman, Naomi… built her life around her dedication to God.

Often we’re simply focused on the influence that we have right here and right now on our children, grandchildren, etc. But the life of a man or woman who give themselves totally to God can have a ripple that will impact generations to come.

I ran across a very moving story that John Trent, the President of StrongFamilies.com and the Center for Strong Families shared in an article.

A true story that  illustrates in a very real way, the power of our words. The Bible says that the power of life and death are found in the tongue.

Mary had grown up knowing that she was different from the other kids, and she hated it. She was born with a cleft palate and had to bear the jokes and stares of cruel children who teased her non-stop about her misshaped lip, crooked nose, and garbled speech. With all the teasing, Mary grew up hating the fact that she was “different”. She was convinced that no one, outside her family, could ever love her … until she entered Mrs. Leonard’s class.

Mrs. Leonard had a warm smile, a round face, and shiny brown hair. While everyone in her class liked her, Mary came to love Mrs. Leonard. In the 1950′s, it was common for teachers to give their children an annual hearing test. However, in Mary’s case, in addition to her cleft palate, she was barely able to hear out of one ear. Determined not to let the other children have another “difference” to point out, she would cheat on the test each year. The “whisper test” was given by having a child walk to the classroom door, turn sideways, close one ear with a finger, and then repeat something, which the teacher whispered. Mary turned her bad ear towards her teacher and pretended to cover her good ear. She knew that teachers would often say things like, “The sky is blue,” or “What color are your shoes?” But not on that day. Surely, God put seven words in Mrs. Leonard’s mouth that changed Mary’s life forever. When the “Whisper test” came, Mary heard the words: “I wish you were my little girl.”

That was a God moment for Mary… It was the turning point in her life …to know she was loved and valued…  Those 7 words began to change her life.

God wants to change our life as well.

But many times because of sins we committed and poor choices we have made… often times we feel like we can’t have a relationship with God…

That God no longer loves us or He has given up on us. But nothing can be farther from the truth.

To those who are crippled by sin or enslaved to things you know are not pleasing to God…
He says, “I wish you were my son” or “I wish you were my daughter.”

Remember what the book of James tells us draw close to God and He will draw close to you.

Isaiah 43:4 “You are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you… ”

Be Blessed,
Stan

Given the current state of our economy, many of those in our church and our community have found themselves struggling. I’d like to share with you a few practical steps from Crown Financial Ministries that if taken, can help to lighten the load.

Career Crisis: If you’ve lost your job, don’t isolate yourself and make the mistake so many people often do. Make your employment need known to as many people as you can. Tell your church, friends, business associates, and family members that you are out of work and eager for a new career opportunity. Seek the help of recruiters, employment search firms, and online career placement help. It’s important to stay busy by making your job search your new job! Crossroads Career Network (Crossroadscareer.org) is a trusted source of help if you find yourself in a crisis.

Look for resources right in front of you. In an attempt to raise money, you may want to consider selling items you possess. Look around and take an inventory of what you have. Many people forget about assets they own that could be liquidated.

Budget – if you don’t have a workable spending plan – a budget – take the necessary time to get one. Don’t put it off another minute. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but you have to start somewhere. [Crown.org offers tools to get started developing a spending plan]

Sign up for the next financial workshop or seminar held in your community. Locally there is a Journey to True Financial Freedom seminar being held at Fellowship of Believers Church on April 4th in Sarasota. Pre-registration is required, you can contact them at 957-3333.

Obtain godly counsel. We have people here at the office who are available to help you through these difficult times, or you can go to Crown.org/Coaches to get advice on how to best approach your particular challenges.

So often the tendency during times of struggle is to isolate yourself and back away, in order to not be a “bother” or “burden” to others. This is why it’s so important to remember that as a church body we are called to carry each others burdens and lift each other up.

Be Blessed,

Stan

In 1995 the Discovery space shuttle was grounded.
It wasn’t grounded because of funding. It wasn’t grounded because of a major technology problem.

It was grounded because of a woodpecker.

A whole group of woodpeckers found out the exterior fuel tank had this foaming on them. And they loved to peck that foam away.

But that foam was to protect those tanks and if the foam is not there the tanks can over heat.

It becomes a fire hazard.

So the whole project is grounded by a woodpecker.

Here’s what I think when it comes to relationships…

That it isn’t just the big things that hurt our relationships, but the reality is that most of the time it is the little woodpeckers that hurt our relationship.

This week at COTC we will learn to be alert to things, even the little things that can come into our marriage and ground our marriage. It is a message that can be applied to all relationships regardless of marital status.

If you’re married you’ll receive some practical helps to protect your marriage…

If you’re single you might be married in the future or God may give you the opportunity to help someone, who is about to make a poor decision that will effect their marriage and their family.

It was one of the very first to show a blended family. What’s interesting is that it really wasn’t all that huge a hit back when it came out in the early 70′s. It only lasted 5 years and did not receive great ratings. But it became very popular from the 80′s on. There were several Brady reunions and a Brady Bunch movie was made in 1995(with new actors because the 70′s versions were too old) The movie was such a hit that a Brady sequel was made in 1996 and another one entitled: The Brady Bunch in the White House in 2002.

Why is it more popular now than went it first came out? Sherwood Schwartz, the creator of The Brady Bunch, answered it this way. “My idea for the sitcom was to show a blended family but there just weren’t that many in the early 70′s. But starting in the 80′s remarriage became the “norm” and so seeing a blended family with all it’s challenges made the “Brady’s” a hit! My idea was just a little before it’s time.”

He’s right. The make-up of the American family has changed dramatically into today’s society. One of the change agents is the high divorce rate. The overall divorce rate still is around 50%. However, remarriages now make up 46% of all weddings in America and the divorce rate among remarriages, is around 60%. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin predicted that those who remarry a second or third time will have a divorce rate of closer to 70%. A huge part of this problem for those who remarry is the incredible challenges that face step-families.

So, as we continue our series on how to “Fireproof” our relationships – This weekend an expert in the field, Robbie Goss will address the challenges of a modern family. If you are dealing with a step-family situation or you know someone who is, dial into this message. Robbie Goss who is a family therapist provides practical, realistic solutions to the issues that face step-families.