Zechariah 8:2 (NLT), “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: My love for Mount Zion is passionate and strong; I am consumed with passion for Jerusalem!" God's love for the church is passionate and strong. There is nothing like the church. We are God's plan for man on the earth. He has no other plan! The church is the body of Christ. He is the head, and we are the body. God loves us like He loves His own Son.
Zechariah 8:4 - 5 (NLT), “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Once again old men and women will walk Jerusalem’s streets with their canes and will sit together in the city squares. And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls at play." This is a wonderful picture of the way church ought to be. Old people sitting around enjoying each other's conversation. Young people playing together. This is church.
When church is done well people are happy. Those outside become intrigued with what they see. Many are drawn to the fellowship of the church. God loves the church. We should love it too.
Peace,
Stan
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
And on it goes...
My last blog was about how Life Happens. The example I used was the injury my wife, Michelle, sustained while on vacation in Colorado. She handled that situation very well. She is mending quite well. Thank you.
Speaking of Life Happens. JD Swilley, our youth pastor, came in my office on Monday to inform me that he and Jame are moving the family to Loveland, Colorado to take a position in a church there. I wish I could say that I was prepared for this announcement. However, I was not. Life Happens.
So, we have a big challenge ahead. We need to replace our youth pastor and music leader. These are important roles at Cornerstone Church. I believe that Jehovah Jireh (God who see ahead at supplies our need) is already on the job. He is preparing the right people to fill our vacancies.
Life Happens. Thank God for God.
Peace,
Stan
Speaking of Life Happens. JD Swilley, our youth pastor, came in my office on Monday to inform me that he and Jame are moving the family to Loveland, Colorado to take a position in a church there. I wish I could say that I was prepared for this announcement. However, I was not. Life Happens.
So, we have a big challenge ahead. We need to replace our youth pastor and music leader. These are important roles at Cornerstone Church. I believe that Jehovah Jireh (God who see ahead at supplies our need) is already on the job. He is preparing the right people to fill our vacancies.
Life Happens. Thank God for God.
Peace,
Stan
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Life Happens
I am home from vacation now. We like to ride bikes and hike in Colorado. On the first day of vacation, the entire family went on a ten mile hike with our friends. The twelve of us are quite a site. The park ranger asked what group we were? "Just two families," I replied! The trail followed the stream down the mountain. It was a good hike.
Michelle and I took a bike ride around Lake Dillon on the second day of vacation. It is a beautiful ride. She was riding very strongly. It started raining. Then it rained harder. So, we decided to pull over. Mistake! Michelle executed a perfect stop, twisting her foot our of her clipless pedals. She put her left foot down of the slippery trail, and slid. Her bike came crashing down. As she fell, her right leg landed on the crank of the bike. The crank sliced her right calf open like a filet knife would have. She immediately instructed me to take off my jersey to stop the bleeding.
Several rescue workers responded to my 9-1-1 call. The ambulance pulled away, leaving me on the trail with my bike. I rode hard and fast on the wet trail to catch up to Michelle at the emergency room of the local hospital. After the wound was cleaned, the doctor put about 30 stitches into my wife's leg. Our vaction took an immediate turn.
Michelle's vacation was stolen from her. It was altered for the rest of the family. Life happens. I am proud to announce that prayer and praise came immediately out of my wife's mouth during her accident. She was a perfect peace. During the remainder of our vacation, she had a wonderful attitude, as the rest of us took off on hikes and other biking adventures.
We sure have a memory. God is good. Michelle is on the mend. The stitches come out in a few days. Scars are tatoos with stories. She has one to tell. There will be future vacations. Life is hard and sometimes unfair. During Michelle's trial, her faith was strong, and her attitude was great.
What comes out of you, when Life Happens?
Peace,
Stan
Michelle and I took a bike ride around Lake Dillon on the second day of vacation. It is a beautiful ride. She was riding very strongly. It started raining. Then it rained harder. So, we decided to pull over. Mistake! Michelle executed a perfect stop, twisting her foot our of her clipless pedals. She put her left foot down of the slippery trail, and slid. Her bike came crashing down. As she fell, her right leg landed on the crank of the bike. The crank sliced her right calf open like a filet knife would have. She immediately instructed me to take off my jersey to stop the bleeding.
Several rescue workers responded to my 9-1-1 call. The ambulance pulled away, leaving me on the trail with my bike. I rode hard and fast on the wet trail to catch up to Michelle at the emergency room of the local hospital. After the wound was cleaned, the doctor put about 30 stitches into my wife's leg. Our vaction took an immediate turn.
Michelle's vacation was stolen from her. It was altered for the rest of the family. Life happens. I am proud to announce that prayer and praise came immediately out of my wife's mouth during her accident. She was a perfect peace. During the remainder of our vacation, she had a wonderful attitude, as the rest of us took off on hikes and other biking adventures.
We sure have a memory. God is good. Michelle is on the mend. The stitches come out in a few days. Scars are tatoos with stories. She has one to tell. There will be future vacations. Life is hard and sometimes unfair. During Michelle's trial, her faith was strong, and her attitude was great.
What comes out of you, when Life Happens?
Peace,
Stan
Monday, June 23, 2008
25 Years
Cornerstone Church is 25 years old. Twenty-five years goes so quickly. I start wondering, "What am I doing today that will make a difference 25 years from now?"
In 1983 these were popular songs: Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cindy Lauper, God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood, Jump by Van Halen, Mr. Roboto by Styx, Sharp Dressed Man by ZZ Top, She Works Hard for the Money by Donna Summer, and Thriller by Michael Jackson. These were popular movies: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Flashdance, The Right Stuff, and Scarface. Television was filled with these timeless classics? TJ Hooker, Cagney and Lacey, Mama’s Family, Dynasty, Fall Guy, Newhart, Knight Rider, and Hill Street Blues. What difference does it make?
The only thing that will make a difference 25 years from now will be what we do for people. We express our love for God by loving people. 1 John 4:7 - 11 (NKJV), "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
In 1983 these were popular songs: Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cindy Lauper, God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood, Jump by Van Halen, Mr. Roboto by Styx, Sharp Dressed Man by ZZ Top, She Works Hard for the Money by Donna Summer, and Thriller by Michael Jackson. These were popular movies: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Flashdance, The Right Stuff, and Scarface. Television was filled with these timeless classics? TJ Hooker, Cagney and Lacey, Mama’s Family, Dynasty, Fall Guy, Newhart, Knight Rider, and Hill Street Blues. What difference does it make?
The only thing that will make a difference 25 years from now will be what we do for people. We express our love for God by loving people. 1 John 4:7 - 11 (NKJV), "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Ten Things I Want My Kids To Know
There are ten things I want my kids to know, before I cut them loose into the world. My daughter is nearly out there on her own now at almost 21. My older son just graduated high school. So, he's on his way. Several years ago I questioned myself as to whether I had done everything to prepare my children to be successful in this world. I came up with this list of ten things.
1. Put God first
2. Always do right
3. Treat everyone well
4. Choose your friends wisely
5. Try new things
6. Don’t be afraid to fail
7. If you fall down, get up
8. Help people, especially those who cannot repay you
9. Ask questions and listen to answers
10. Honor your father and mother
Happy parenting!
Peace,
Stan
1. Put God first
2. Always do right
3. Treat everyone well
4. Choose your friends wisely
5. Try new things
6. Don’t be afraid to fail
7. If you fall down, get up
8. Help people, especially those who cannot repay you
9. Ask questions and listen to answers
10. Honor your father and mother
Happy parenting!
Peace,
Stan
Monday, June 9, 2008
Father's Day
Father's Day reminds us of many things. We live in a day when men sire children, but fewer father them. What does it mean to be a father? There are three things which fathers should remember.
1) Children are gifts from God. Psalms 127:3, "Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward." Children should be treated as precious and special gifts from God.
2) Children are a stewardship from God. A steward is one who manages another's property. Children should be considered God's possessions. They should be raised according to God's plan for them. Edith Schaeffer, wife of Francis Schaeffer, answered the question, “What is a family?” by stating, “It is a perpetual relay of truth!” Fathers have a responsibility to pass on God's truth and values to his children.
3) Children must be trained. Noone is born knowing what to do in order to succeed in this world. Each must be trained to walk with integrity. Children need to be taught how to work hard and the value of money. Children need to be trained to use their words to edify not to destroy. Etc.
The best way to train children is by example, more than words.
Peace,
Stan
1) Children are gifts from God. Psalms 127:3, "Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward." Children should be treated as precious and special gifts from God.
2) Children are a stewardship from God. A steward is one who manages another's property. Children should be considered God's possessions. They should be raised according to God's plan for them. Edith Schaeffer, wife of Francis Schaeffer, answered the question, “What is a family?” by stating, “It is a perpetual relay of truth!” Fathers have a responsibility to pass on God's truth and values to his children.
3) Children must be trained. Noone is born knowing what to do in order to succeed in this world. Each must be trained to walk with integrity. Children need to be taught how to work hard and the value of money. Children need to be trained to use their words to edify not to destroy. Etc.
The best way to train children is by example, more than words.
Peace,
Stan
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