Pastor's P.O.V. - Stone The Preacher

My 6:17PM Prayer List

Jul 15, 2021Steve Sanchez1 CommentPastor's P.O.V., Prayer

Every day my alarm goes off at 6:17PM to remind me to pray for a list of people who need the Lord. Why 6:17? Because that verse is where Elisha prayed to the Lord that he would open his servant’s eyes when they were overwhelmed by God’s enemies. His servant was panicked because the Syrians

Why We Need This Day of Prayer More Than Ever

May 6, 2021Steve Sanchez1 CommentPastor's P.O.V., PrayerNational day of prayer, prayer

Some potted plants went missing from a local restaurant’s sidewalk. The owner used to put them outside on the sidewalk for decorations, but after this recent theft, not anymore. He has noticed that things were changing in Johnson City.

Awhile back, an online predator targeted Johnson City middle and high-schoolers using SnapChat as bait.

A few years years ago, an Airstream dealer next to the Pedernales River was busted for “theft by deception” and was wanted in Arizona for the kidnaping and sexual assault of a child.

And, don’t forget about the just-passing-through people, like the knuckleheads from California who were busted with 103 pounds of marijuana in their car by Johnson City’s Finest!These were just some of the local incidents that have rocked our little town.

Not to worry though. According to AreaVibes, a website that helps people find the best places to live in America, Johnson City rates an A+. The schools also rate A+.

Still, Austin is getting ever-nearer from the East with Alamo City creeping in from the south. With big city growth comes big city problems. I know. I used to live in a big city.

Our little bit of Mayberry may not last forever but I do know how we can stave off the inevitable, for perhaps a few more years.

We all must pull together in this and does not involve building a wall on Highways 290 and 281, nor do we need to load our deer rifles with extra rounds. We certainly don’t have to panic either.

The solution?

Earth Day Shouldn’t be Celebrated

Apr 22, 2021Steve SanchezPastor's P.O.V., Special Daysearth day

Ira Einhorn hosted the first Earth Day event on April 22, 1970. Police raided his closet seven years later and found the “composted” body of his ex-girlfriend inside a trunk.

Pope Francis said, “We see these natural tragedies, which are the Earth’s response to our maltreatment. We have sinned against the Earth, against our neighbor and, in the end, against the creator.”

Then-candidate Joe Biden, at a 2020 fundraiser, declared, “COVID…is a wake up call to action to climate change overall and to climate justice.

“I’m not against preserving the earth; I am against worshiping it.

The earth has no feelings, we cannot sin against it, it does not think about the things we do and doesn’t mete out retribution nor create wake-up calls.

It’s a planet.

Struggling With Hope

Apr 15, 2021Steve SanchezABOUT ME, MY BLOG, MY CHURCH, Pastor's P.O.V.bad marriages, struggles

A well-intentioned friend was concerned that I shared too much in my monthly emails and that it might be better to be less honest about my struggles. Initially, I agreed, but upon further reflection, I thought that would be the wrong way to go.

The whole purpose of a newsletter, after all, is to have family and friends pray for my struggles. What may seem like over-sharing to some is genuine, heart-felt need for me. The setbacks and disappointments are a part of ministry life and it would do no good to put on a happy face and say everything is fine when it isn’t. I value my readers’ prayers, concern, love and interest for my family’s well-being.

Before we moved to Texas to start a new church, the son of my pastor in California sent me off with these prophetic words when I mentioned to him that, perhaps, this endeavor might go without many problems. “It’s my general understanding that these things never go easy,” he replied.

And, he was right!

Missionaries, church planters, evangelists, pastors—anyone who is dedicated to serving the Lord—will experience great difficulties.

The Ministry of Trouble

Feb 12, 2021Steve Sanchez4 CommentsPastor's P.O.V.john wesley, spurgeon, trouble, william carey

CONFLICTS AND STRUGGLES ARE A PART OF MINISTRY.

Sometimes the hardships come from extended illnesses: Charles Spurgeon, considered the greatest preacher who ever lived, suffered from extreme depression and gout, describing it this way: “Imagine placing your foot in a vice and tightening the vice as far as it will go; then tighten it four more turns.”

His wife Susannah became an invalid at age 33 and could seldom attend her husband’s services.

Troubles can come from within the family home: William Carey’s wife Dolly refused to go with him to India but was pressured to go. Their 5-year-old died and the other children continually contracted tropical diseases while there. His wife started to go insane and constantly followed him down the street berating him, accusing him of having affairs with women, even threatening him with a knife. Finally, he had to keep her in a locked room. William Carey is considered “The Father of Modern Missions.”