In this episode of the Pivotal Decisions Podcast, Stan explores the role of the church in the political arena. Should pastors talk about politics from the pulpit? Does the Bible instruct us on how to vote? Stan takes a balanced, Scripture-centered approach to these questions, discussing the tension between the church’s responsibility to speak on important moral issues while avoiding partisan politics. Drawing on historical examples like Dietrich Bonhoeffer and biblical truths, Stan offers five guiding principles for Christians navigating the political landscape.

Key Takeaways:

1. History is in God’s Hands
2. All Authority is Established by God
3. God’s Word Transcends Political Platforms
4. We Have No Human Enemies
5. Jesus Christ Reigns Over All

Call to Action: If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with others and subscribe to the Pivotal Decisions Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or iHeartRadio. Remember, the decisions you make today determine your tomorrow.

In this episode of the Pivotal Decisions Podcast, Stan explores the role of the church in the political arena. Should pastors talk about politics from the pulpit? Does the Bible instruct us on how to vote? Stan takes a balanced, Scripture-centered approach to these questions, discussing the tension between the church’s responsibility to speak on important moral issues while avoiding partisan politics. Drawing on historical examples like Dietrich Bonhoeffer and biblical truths, Stan offers five guiding principles for Christians navigating the political landscape.

Key Takeaways:

1. History is in God’s Hands
2. All Authority is Established by God
3. God’s Word Transcends Political Platforms
4. We Have No Human Enemies
5. Jesus Christ Reigns Over All

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with others and subscribe to the Pivotal Decisions Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or iHeartRadio. Remember, the decisions you make today determine your tomorrow.

In this episode of the Pivotal Decisions Podcast, Stan explores the fascinating habits of millionaires, offering a blend of practical financial wisdom and biblical principles. He highlights the importance of viewing wealth as a responsibility and managing it as faithful stewards of God's resources. This episode encourages listeners to embrace long-term thinking, practice generosity, and shift their focus from temporary pleasures to lasting success. By merging spiritual insight with actionable steps, Stan emphasizes the podcast’s core message: the decisions you make today determine your tomorrow.

Resources Mentioned:

• 10 Simple Habits of the Average Millionaire – Ramsey Solutions
• The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn
• Spurgeon: A Life
• The Power of Regret by Daniel Pink
• The Parasitic Mind

In this special episode of Pivotal Decisions, Stan's son Briggs joins him to talk about the 2024 College Football Playoff. In a fun episode, they explore which teams have the best shot at making it to the championship. With the season already in full swing, they break down the top contenders, surprise teams, and potential playoff sleepers. Join Stan and Briggs as they analyze team strengths, key matchups, and the impact of recent games on playoff projections.

In this episode of the Pivotal Decisions Podcast, Stan delves into the topic of bitterness and its profound impact on our lives. Anger and resentment, if left unchecked, can turn into deep-rooted bitterness that poisons our hearts and souls. Stan discusses the dangers of allowing bitterness to take hold and the destructive consequences it can have on our relationships, spiritual walk, and overall well-being.

Resources Mentioned:

• Chuck Lawless, "9 Reasons Bitterness Will Consume You if You Don’t Let It Go"9 Reasons Bitterness Will Consume You if You Don’t Let It Go | ChuckLawless.com
• Mark 11:25 - A reminder of the importance of forgiveness in prayer.

Subscribe & Connect:

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In this episode of the Pivotal Decisions Podcast, Stan dives into the growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation, revealing the surprising and devastating impact it has on our lives. Drawing from recent research by Brigham Young University and Cigna, Stan discusses how loneliness is not only a significant mental and emotional challenge but also a major predictor of premature mortality. The statistics are alarming, showing that loneliness can be as detrimental to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Resources Mentioned:

• Brigham Young University study on loneliness and mortality
• Cigna's survey based on the UCLA Loneliness Scale
• Tech Jury statistics on mobile phone usage
• Blog post: "How to Be Faithful in Loneliness" by Watermark Community ChurchHow to Be Faithful in Loneliness | Watermark Community Church

3 Ways to Overcome Loneliness for Christians - David Jeremiah Blog

In this episode of Pivotal Decisions, Stan welcomes back Timmy Williamson for a discussion about the value of time and how quickly it seems to pass as we grow older. They reflect on the well-known saying, "The days are long, but the years are short," and emphasize the importance of making the best use of our time. Stan shares a thought-provoking quote from A.W. Tozer about the nonrenewable nature of time and how crucial it is to use it wisely.

Stan and Timmy talk about 7 time management principles from an article by Chuck Lawless that have significantly impacted his life.

“Time is a resource that is nonrenewable and nontransferable. You cannot store it, slow it up, hold it up, divide it up or give it up. You can’t hoard it up or save it for a rainy day–when it’s lost it’s unrecoverable. When you kill time, remember that it has no resurrection.” — A.W. Tozer

7 Time Management Principles that Have Helped Me | ChuckLawless.com

In this episode, Stan tackles an important question: Is it okay to pray for yourself? Stan argues that not only is it okay, but it is essential and biblically commanded to pray for oneself, especially for spiritual growth and alignment with God's will. Using an article from Todd Gaddis of Lifeway Research, Stan discusses 11 ways to pray for yourself daily.

11 Ways to Pray for Yourself Every Day - Lifeway Research

1. 11 Ways to Pray for Yourself Daily (Adapted from Todd Gaddis):
   1. Examine Me:
   2. Forgive My Sins:
   3. Fill Me with Your Spirit:
   4. Restore and Strengthen Me:
   5. Grant Me Wisdom:
   6. Protect My Mind:
   7. Stifle Satan:
   8. Suppress Unbelief and Supply Faith:
   9. Guard My Behavior:
   10. Arrange Significant Divine Appointments:
   11. Enlarge My Sphere of Influence:

Links and Resources:

• YouTube Channel: Pivotal Decisions Podcast YouTube Channel
• Subscribe: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, YouTube

In this episode of Pivotal Decisions, Stan returns to his discussion of healthy relationships. In this episode, he focuses on navigating conflict. Using Peter Scazerro's work, "Emotionally, Healthy Relationships", Stan discusses how to deal with conflict in a healthy way.

Key Points:

1. The Iceberg Metaphor:
   • The visible part of an iceberg represents a small portion of our lives, while 90% lies hidden beneath the surface.
   • Unprocessed emotions can resurface and damage relationships.
2. Inevitability of Conflict:
   • Conflict in relationships is inevitable.
   • Example: Hannah and Blair Keeley, a couple claiming never to have argued.
3. Three Choices in Handling Conflict (Scazerro's Outline):
   • False Peace: Pretending everything is fine.
   • Fighting Dirty: Various unhealthy tactics.
   • Healthy Confrontation: Addressing conflict constructively.

Practical Steps for Healthy Conflict Resolution:

1. Have the Right Attitude:
2. Take the Initiative:
3. Respond with a Blessing:
4. Control Your Mouth:

Today's episode is a special broadcast of Pivotal Decisions, focusing on the relationship between science and Christianity. We address the common cultural perception that science and religion, particularly Christianity, are incompatible.

To explore this topic, Stan is joined by Dr. Jason Powell, a tenured professor of Chemistry and Physics at Ferrum College, who also serves as the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chief Innovation and Research Officer. Dr. Powell holds degrees from Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia, and the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. He is an accomplished scientist, a devout Christian, and a family man with seven children.

Key Discussion Points:

1. Is Science Often in Conflict with Religion?
   • Dr. Powell provides insights into whether science and religion inherently conflict, drawing from both his academic background and personal beliefs.
2. Personal Beliefs and Scientific Principles:
   • Exploration of any conflicts Dr. Powell experiences between his religious beliefs and scientific understanding.
3. Interface of Science and Faith:
   • Dr. Powell shares his journey of integrating scientific inquiry with his Christian faith, offering a unique perspective on how the two can coexist and enrich each other.
4. Criticism of Higher Education:
   • Discussion on how Dr. Powell, as a Christian scientist in academia, responds to criticisms from the Christian community regarding liberal indoctrination in higher education.

Listen on:

• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• iHeartRadio
• YouTube