stanpavkovich

This past week I gave the challenge to our Church to rise up and be Jesus to a forgotten group of children in our community…. those who are lost in the foster care system. The results were amazing… I am so proud of our church – you can see the service on our website.

I shared a story I came across about Bennett’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church a small African American Church…. in Possum Trot, Texas…. Who did nothing short of a miracle when they responded to the need in their community. Watch this clip and be inspired to do something great for God.

Be Blessed,
Stan

I came across a blog this week that actually addressed an issue that has become a concern of mine – social networking.

I haven’t addressed it up until this point…nor have I seen anybody else address it… up until now… Pastor Mark Batterson nails it….

“I was reading II Corinthians 10:10 today: “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.” That text triggered this thought: some of us are very different people “in person” than we are “behind the computer.” And I don’t think that is healthy or holy.

I’m not just talking about bloggers who write irresponsibly about that which they do not know. I think it’s easier to slander someone or spread gossip from the comfortable confines of your computer. Somehow the medium excuses the sin. It doesn’t. All it does is a keep a written record of what you’ve done wrong. I’m not trying to get on a soapbox. I just think communication mediums can be used for good or evil. They can help us grow spiritually or become a spiritual snare.

To redeem an old saying: be careful little thumbs what you text. That goes for blogging, twittering, and emailing too! Keep it righteous! After all, God is blind copied (BCC) on everything we write!” (End of quote)

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue…

To put it another way… death and life are at our fingertips.

As Mark Patterson said keep it righteous.

Be blessed,
Stan

I know all of our hearts have been broken and moved with compassion with all that is taking place in Haiti.

And I’m sure that you, like me are wondering what you can do to help…Well here are several ways….

As a church we are seeking ways in which we can respond at the appropriate time with teams. But in the meantime… this is what we are doing immediately.

If you are in Bradenton we will be collecting medical supplies and protein drinks for Agape Flights a local organization that flies supplies into Haiti for missionaries . For a list of supplies go to our website www.cotcfamily.com.

If you are interested in donating financially, I would suggest donating to Samaritan’s Purse. If you aren’t familiar with this organization, it is a great organization run by Franklin Graham. They are already established in Haiti and have a history of doing great work when it comes to relief. Watch the video below to hear their plans for relief and what they are already doing.

You can give on line to their relief effort In Haiti at http://www.samaritanspurse.org/.

Another way to help right now is to pray. Please pray with us for the children and families suffering in Haiti at this time. Pray that in the chaos, they would find comfort and that God would provide for their needs even now.

Keep Praying,
Stan

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and News Years Holiday….

The beginning of the year is always a great time to reflect where you have been and where you want to go.

But what I have found in life to be true is… that no matter how well you plan (and I believe in planning) there will always be those unforeseen trials, storms and times of suffering that we go through.

I was remind of this yesterday… when I found out through another Pastor friend of mind that Matt Chandler who I heard at a conference last year… someone that God used to speak to my heart…. has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor that was not encapsulated.

He is a young 35 year old pastor from Dallas Texas who is doing a tremendous work there in the city…has a young family… a great future ahead of him and bam…all of a sudden it is changed over night…

But I want to share with you a short video message that he recorded a few days before his surgery… they played it for his Church this past week.

Video from Matt.

What a reminder of the perspective we all need to have…. that to be with Christ is greater then anything in this world.

Be Blessed,

Stan