stanpavkovich

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.

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

This week I wanted to share with you a video that I came across. It’s a perfect illustration of a life radically transformed by having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Please click on this link to view the video http://www.youtube.com/illbehonest

Be Blessed,

Stan

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.