ARE YOU GROWING TODAY?

Have you read God’s Word today?  Did you read the “Daily Bread” today?

Have you read at least a few pages of a good book Today? Have you listened to a good sermon latley? Check out our Internet TV Channel at the left!

Where is Your Treasure?

In Matthew 6:21 Jesus said “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” I look at our treasure as our “values”. What I hear Jesus saying here is that where our values are there will be our desires also. He uses strong language here when he says “the desires of our heart”. That is huge! I have heard it said and for many years that “people will always do what they really want to do”.

As I think of this in relation to our values it makes sense! Whatever we value or treasure in our lives directly impacts and greatly influences our desires. I mean think about it, if we value something then we will naturally desire whatever it is that it takes to acquire what we value. Our values impact our desires and our desires impact our actions! It seems to me that most of us human beings do whatever it is that we really want to do! I know we say we want to lose weight or quit this habit or the other but we continue to engage in that behavior even though we know it is harmful to us. I am no psychologist but I really think our values or treasures are what is controlling our desires and our desires for sure control our actions!

The underlying foundation of our lives is our values. The things we value most in our lives directly influence our actions like a computer program running in the background of our desktop! Our values work much like a firewall in our brain! They stop us from doing many of the things “we say” we would like to do but don’t do!  Our talk is sort of like our key board on our computer we can type or click on whatever we want but the firewall prevents the action from happening in our lives. We think we want it and we may say we want it but our real desires controlled by our values kicks in and prevents us from attaining whatever it is we say we want!

Therefore if I want to truly change my actions and habits I must work on my values or the things I treasure in life rather than my behavior! My behavior seems to always want to go back to what I truly value. What I value in life is that firewall in my brain that keeps blocking my surface desires and only letting in those things I truly value!

These are just some thoughts on our “treasure” in life. I would welcome your comments and thoughts.

Really Thinking,

Pastor Alan

Margaret Stroup Update

The good news, in the midst of it all, is that Margaret has been scheduled for surgery on December 11, 2009. This could change but that is the plan for today!

She and Jerry are beginning to make plans for the day that they have been waiting for a long time. It is with great mixed emotions that they move forward with this surgery. It is an absolute must and also a risk. There is always risk with surgery but this is significant to say the least.

I want to ask all of you to please pray for them over the next weeks and months. It’s like revisiting so much in all our minds and hearts. With the anniversary approaching and the surgery looming it is not an easy time for all of us involved in this journey together;  so many of you have been there with us on this journey. There are no words that can be said or written to thank you for all your prayers and support for Margaret and Jerry, Valerie and her family and all of the CPH family whose lives will never be the same.

The prayers and support have meant so much especially from all of the CPH family and friends. From heart to heart the pain we all felt that day and still feel is shared by us all. I know you who were there that day understand as no others can. I sometimes feel like a “wounded healer” as I can imagine you may also.

I apologize if I went too deep for some of you. It is one of those things that only those who were there could understand. I hear some people talking about that day as if it was just an event in the past. An event that can be investigated dissected and understood with human logic. Whenever I hear someone talking in those terms I have to remind myself that person most likely wasn’t there that day as were so many of us. It is easy to want to get angry with them and lash out at them. However, let us remember “we know” and “we understand” and they “never will”! They can’t because we were there!

Thanks again for your prayers and support,

Pastor Alan

John Boy and the Fly!

Today a friend, John Bowen, shared a very interesting story. Several weeks ago we had an early cold snap. It got down in the low 20’s several nights. One morning John decided it was a little chilly in his house so he built a fire in the wood stove. As most of us Alaskan’s do he got a little carried away and built a large fire and the house was soon up to about 85.

Here in Alaska we have the large fly’s that are much like a regular house fly except they are quite large sometimes. They hibernate in the house when winter comes and come out next summer. Well I guess this fly thought it was summer since it was so hot in John’s house. He came out of hibernation and began flying all around the house. flying toward all the lights and driving John crazy as they usually do us all.

He got a bright idea, since it was still twilight outside he turned all the lights out in the house except in the bathroom. The fly soon made his way into the bathroom. John closed the door and removed the screen from the bathroom window. He then turned the light out and the fly soon started trying to get out through the window. He was attracted to the light. John just opened the window and the fly flew out the window into freedom! However,  it was still in the early 30’s and still quite cold for a fly. He didn’t make it very far until he lost altitude and crashed into the weeds to his certain death.

John didn’t kill the fly, he just gave the fly the opportunity to leave the house and the fly chose to fly away. However, the choice to fly out into what he thought was freedom led him to his death.

Satan does the very same thing to so many of us humans every day. He makes the lifestyle of “sin” look so appealing that we “choose” to go for the gusto! We choose the alcohol and the drugs. We choose to have sex with someone other than our spouse. We choose the “alternative” life style. Etc. etc. etc….

Remember the choice is yours, but so are the consequences!!!!!

Please, Think before you drink!

Don’t be like the fly and believe the lie!

Pastor Alan and John

Margaret Stroup’s Shoulder Surgery

Margaret had surgery on her shoulder yesterday. Things went very well. Here is Jerry’s update.

Margaret’s surgery went very well. The surgeon said she had a spur and a tear that was larger than he thought. Due to moving her surgery from the outpatient surgery unit to the hospital due to her records we spent 13 hours at the hospital and finally got home at 1am. She is doing good but tired from the long wait. She is in a cold pack to keep the swelling down. They blocked her shoulder so the pain won’t be bad for about 12 hours later. Will keep you updated for a few days. Jerry

We don’t have a date or a time line on her other surgeries. Please keep them in your prayers as it has been a long journey and there are still many hills and valleys yet to go through. They are doing quite well considering all they have been through. I think they are awesome folks with a faith and determination that is amazing.

Please don’t forget to pray for them. They are still a vital part of CPH and the Soldotna Community. Our lives have been touched and impacted for ever as a result of this tragedy. None of us who were there or involved in this unreal saga will ever forget the pain and emotional journey of this last year.

To all my CPH family please know that you are in my prayers and thoughts often. We are all in this together and I know God will help us all grow through this as we look to Him for His help and strength. However if we think we can make it on our own He will let us try! Please know He is there and He is always listening and waiting for your call for help.

Thank you Margaret and Jerry for your strong faith and love to us all.

Pastor Alan

Destiny Conference 2009

Greetings and Welcome Back! It seems like it has been a long time since I have written! Then I checked the date of my last entry and it has been way too long for sure.

I am very excited about our upcoming Destiny Conference here at the Soldotna Church of God, July 19-26. It is going to be one of the best ever. The theme this year is “Bridging the Gap with Faith, Hope and Love”.

I feel like the Gap between the Church of Jesus Christ and the “unbelievers” in our world and especially here in America is growing wider and wider.

I know I can’t close that Gap all by myself and I don’t even pretend to try. However I can build bridges to the “world” in my “circle of influence”! You and I have been called to love our neighbor as we love ourselves and that my friend will build a very strong bridge to everyone we touch!

The concept of building a bridge is sort of like building an ARK! It is done one small Act of Random Kindness at a time. I simply mean to make a commitment today to start treating the people we come in contact with every day the way we would like to be treated! It’s really not “rocket science”. It’s just a matter of stopping and thinking about the way we treat all the “little people” in our life everyday! I mean the people we meet everyday as we go about our normal routine of life!

One of the things Jesus did as he went about His daily life was “He walked slowly through the crowds”. I mean when was the last time you stopped and thanked the janitor that cleans the restrooms in your office building or favorite restaurant? When was the last time you thanked the “cart chaser” at the grocery store for speedily recovering those wandering carts in the parking lot?

I don’t mean to demean any job because there is always someone higher than everyone else up the food chain but I hope you get my thought. I don’t have it down myself, for sure. I get caught up in the moment often; however I keep working on learning to “do unto others as I would have them do unto me”!

Let’s go build a bridge today,

Pastor Alan

Happy Mother’s Day 2009

I want to wish every mother who reads this a “Happy Mother’s Day”. A mother is a special person! I am not referring to every woman who gives birth to a child. I am referring to all the women who provide a mothering presence in their child’s life. I don’t mean any disrespect to anyone because I know there are many extenuating circumstances that prevent many women the privilege to “be there” for their children. However I am referring to all the women who are able and do provide that presence.

I know many of you don’t feel like you are a “good Mom” but you are there aren’t you? You are giving your children the best you have to offer from the well of life you have been afforded are you not? Are you doing what you can, with what you have, where you are? Don’t focus on what you can’t do but focus on what you can do and “Do It”!!!!!!

I had the best mom in the world! She was a wonderful godly woman that loved her husband and us three kids with all her heart! She was awesome. Was she perfect? NO! Was she really the “best” mom in the world? Well probably not, however she was “MY Mom” and therefore she was the best mom in the whole world to me!!!!!

The greatest Mother’s Day gift you can give your mom is to say “Thank You”. Have you told her that lately? Don’t thank her for all the dumb things she may have done, she would really think you are insincere! However you can thank her for being there!

Just say thanks,

Pastor Alan

P.S. If she wasn’t there or was a really bad person, go ahead and forgive her any way! It will do you both a lot of good!

Good Friday Evening

We watched The Passion of The Christ this evening at church. Just a few of us showed up. However it was a great time. I have seen that movie at least 4 times now and every time I get something new out of it. Tonight I saw something amazing in the movie. Jesus the Healer, Jesus the Miracle Worker, Jesus the Son of God was now in a place where he needed someone to minister to him.

When we returned home for the evening I found myself facing some pain of my own. I won’t elaborate but suffice it to say it hurts to hurt no matter who you are. We all face pain and hurt in this life from many sources and situations. Many times the ones we love the most can hurt us the most.

I was checking my Facebook and Twitter when my good friend Allen Townsend from Hilo HI twittered about his new Blog entry. I read his Blog this evening and it was just what I needed. It is titled “When the Healer needs Healing”. I would encourage you to read the article. He says it so well.

The scene where the woman wipes Jesus’ face with a cloth in the movie was awesome. She tried to give Him a cup of water but was unsuccessful. However she tried! I am reminded where Jesus said in Matthew 10 if you receive a prophet you will receive a “prophet’s reward” or give a cup of cold water to the least of his servants you will be rewarded. I also remembered the words of Jesus in Matthew 25 where He said “as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto Me”

When was the last time you gave a prophet (servant of the Lord) a cup of cold water or something like that? When was the last time you did any unselfish “act of random kindness” to a stranger or anyone for that matter?

Just a thought,

Pastor Alan

In Anchorage Teaching Anger Management

I will be in Anchorage teaching Anger Management on April 20 and 21. If you are interested in attending please contact me. I would love to have you in class.

I will be teaching a condensed version of the class both nights. It will be the same class both nights in two different locations. I am working with the Anchorage Parenting Co-op. It’s a great group that brings great parenting teaching to residents through out the Anchorage area. I think one night will be in Eagle River as well.

I love teaching anger management. It has become a passion for me. I am very excited about Wednesday evening April 22 as well. I will be speaking to Faith Community Church youth group. I love speaking to high school and Jr high school groups.

I get the privilege of sharing a little of my life’s story with them. I am so grateful for the many opportunities given me to share here in Alaska. I really believe I have something to give to young people all across the state of Alaska. Anger is a huge problem in our state and it really does need to be addressed at the younger level. If it is not addressed it will continue to grow.

I have spoken in several Alaskan villages over the past years. It has been beneficial for many who have heard my story. I love my Alaska Native brothers and sisters all across this great state. I have spoken in Barrow, Kotzebue and Metlakatla in the SE. I have spoken all over the Kenai Peninsula as well.

I contracted to the state of Alaska DOC for about 7 years to teach Anger Management at Wildwood Correction Center. I have spoken to Faith based groups as well as secular settings as well. I have spoken many times in public schools around the state as well.

I have also been a Red Ribbon Week speaker in several schools as well. I love young people and have a passion to share my story with them. I don’t think it strange or weird because I love Anger Management. I am just so thankful that God has helped me find my own way through the maze called life. I enjoy shinning a small light for other travelers through the darkness.

Here to serve,

Pastor Alan

Jerry & Margaret Stroup Enjoying Some Needed Time Off!

I spoke with Jerry and Margaret Stroup today, several times. Margaret is doing well. She is enjoying some much needed time off. They have been in Florida for the past month and are now back in Virginia.

Margaret is doing quite well. She still gets very tired quickly and has a few bad days now and then. I am still amazed at how the Lord has worked in and through this lady. She is simply amazing, or maybe not so simply! I know the Lord has had His hand on her life and He has lots more for her and Jerry to do.

There is still so much about this whole ordeal that I don’t understand and probably never will. However I know that God is a great big God. He has promised He won’t allow us to go through more than we can handle. He has certainly allowed this family and so many others to go through soooooo much.

It is so easy for me to think I am having such a bad day when I go through some of the small things I go through in my life. When I look at the “larger” picture of life I often repent and ask God to forgive me for whining!!!! I think self-pity is a great big pit many of us get caught in. We must be on our guard all the time against this enemy.

I don’t think any of us deliberately want to be selfish. It is a natural, carnal part of our nature that raises its ugly head all too often. We must be constantly aware of this  part of our humanity. God will lead us and provide strength for us in every situation. It is up to us to follow Him with the light or knowledge we have from God’s Word today.

Not one of us at Central Peninsula Hospital would have ever thought such a tragedy would have or even could have taken place in our little town! However as we all know too well it did! It is up to us today, as we all are still working through our “stuff”, to remember that God is still there and He still loves us. In spite of the selfish acts of others God will give us the strength to keep getting up and making our own little contribution to the world we are in.

I have a little philosophy I live by that has been a real encouragement for me over the years. “If I will do what I can with what I have where I am, then and only then will what I have be increased”. That little thought has helped me keep on keeping on so many times.

Remember things may never get back to “normal”. However please don’t stop giving what you have to the rest of us. I for one can’t do it all by myself. I really need your help. I know I’m not alone in this. We all really do need each other. So get up, smile and put one foot in front of the other and “DO IT”. I know you can, God will help! Together we really are making a difference.

Thanks for being you,

Pastor Alan

Mt Redoubt may blow it’s top anytime!

I wrote the following paragraph on February 12, 2009

As many of you may know Mt Redoubt could blow at any moment. I mean it’s front page news in the Peninsula Clarion today!!!!!!! We are set to go, or not. It’s weird living just off Redoubt Ave in Soldotna, Alaska knowing at any moment we could be covered with ash or not.

March 23, 2009

Mt Redoubt blew it’s top last night, in fact it blew 5 times during the night and once this afternoon! We are so grateful that the ash didn’t come our way. Now don’t get me wrong I’m not happy for the few small villages and sparsely populated woods out west of us that got a good dusting. However we have so many more folks that live here on the Kenai Peninsula that much less damage is being done.

I had decided that Mt Redoubt had gone back to sleep for a while. The experts were saying that was a good possibility. It made sense to me for sure. However the Mountain had other plans!!!

Volcanoes have a mind of their own. I really don’t understand the whole lava, sulfur and toxic gases thing. I mean where does all those gases go and why don’t they eat a whole in the Ozone Layer? Why don’t they cause massive impact on “global warming”? I am so amazed at this Mountain.

It sent ash over 60,000 feet into the air six times in the last 24 hours. Can you imagine the pressure that must be built up inside that thing!!!!! Then there’s the heat factor!! Wow! That’s just unreal to my simple little mind.

It makes me wonder what is inside this old ball of dirt we call earth! There really must be some really “hot stuff” inside this planet.

More Later,

Pastor Alan