Melanie Stockstill's Blog

President Elect

Melanie — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:20:57 +0000

I liked Larry’s blog on this so much I will share the link with you. larrystockstill.com

“Mimmi”

ellen — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:33:44 +0000

Yesterday around 2:30 Ruth Stockstill, affectionately known as “Mimmi,” joined the great cloud of witnesses in Heaven! I had the most incredible honor of holding her hand as she slipped out of her body and into glory. I had left a lunch appointment and was going to our south campus to prepare for a meeting, planning to prepare and rest for a while and then run and see Mimmi before the meeting. As I neared the intersection that led to the hospice where she was, I found myself turning right (right hand turns are important in the Stockstill family ) toward the hospice instead of going straight toward the campus. I decided I would visit her before AND after my preparation. I parked, walked casually into the building and into the room, set my purse down and took her hand. Her breathing was labored so I began to talk to her about Heaven. I told her how much I loved her, then began naming some of the many people that were eagerly awaiting her arrival. I told her to give our love to our Amy. Within less than ten minutes, she slipped into eternity. I was stunned at the favor of God to allow me that awesome privilege. “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives” (Ps.37:23). Her memorial service will be this Friday, October 24, at 11:00 A.M. in the main sanctuary of the North Campus. Visitation will be in the main sanctuary from 9:00-11:00 A.M. We plan to post the service on the Bethany web page. Donations in her name can be made to the Global Twelve Project. Her life keeps giving!

Sister Ruth

ellen — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:58:55 +0000

My precious mother-in-law, Ruth Stocktill, is in her last days here with us on Earth. What an incredible example she has been to women all over the world! For years, she kept our six children every Saturday so that I could maintain my sanity and she her treasured place of “Mimi.” More times than I can count, Bro. Roy would say of her after one of her delicious Mississippi meals, “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou exellest them all” (Prov.31:29). She is the Proverbs 31 lady of all times! Incidentally, our home for unwed mothers for over twenty years was called the House of Ruth in her honor. She has quite a legacy and so do you if you will remain faithful in being the mother, wife, and/or friend God has equipped you to be. Thank you for praying for Bro. Roy.

Don’t Give In!

ellen — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:54:47 +0000

“If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring” (Prov.25:26). We cannot give in to the ungodly influence of our age concerning abortion and homosexuality. As the light of the world, we cannot afford to dim our wattage. We cannot grow weary, and certainly not “throw in the towel.” We need Supreme Court justices and federal judges who will refuse to legislate from the bench and who will uphold righteousness, and this presidential election will determine many such appointments. We must pray, pray, pray! Our threat of economic crisis is only the tip of the iceberg of God’s judgment upon America if we don’t turn from our murder of innocent babies and our filthy perversions. No plan of man can bail us out if God becomes the “enemy” of our nation. I have a greater resolve than ever to do all I can to save my great nation - “one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.” I believe in the power of corporate prayer! If the churches of America will unite in prayer, we can turn our nation around. The weapons God has given us are powerful to “knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments”(2 Cor. 10 4).

Remnant

admin — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:44:11 +0000

On the eve of our “Shake the Nations” conference, I’m contemplative concerning the Body of Christ in America. As we endeavor to shake the nations with the Gospel, are we being shaken and sifted in our commitment to one another as brothers and sisters in the Kingdom of God? We are, first, Christians with a responsibility toward the Kingdom of God. Second, we are citizens of an earthly kingdom which is political in nature. Our second responsibility should never eclipse our first devotion and commitment. At least two factors in the upcoming election pose a greater than ordinary threat to our unity as Christians: one is gender in nature and the other is ethnic in nature. Although it would be ideal if we all agreed on the ethical and moral principles at stake, even those issues are potential lines of division. My prayer is that we will allow each other the freedoms afforded to us by our great constitution, especially by the Amendments, and not devise spiritual ways to prohibit the expression of those freedoms. While it is my responsibility as a spiritual leader to encourage all to be morally and ethically responsible in the support of candidates, it is also my privilege as a citizen to have and express private opinions. I refuse to use my God-given platform to endorse candidates, but I must use that platform to endorse or repudiate issues that affect the morals of our nation. I will not reject a brother or sister because of a political stand - the blood of Jesus is too strong for that! The love of God within me embraces and loves my blood-washed family and gives me the ability to understand and appreciate our differences of opinions. May we all remember our strong family-in-Christ ties and make room for each other’s private opinions and beliefs - the Scriptures being the boundaries for all persuasions. Let’s not allow a temporal kingdom to jeopardize the unity (which is our witness) of our Lord’s Kingdom. “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony” (Col.3:14).

Anonymous

admin — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:04:16 +0000

I hope you have gleaned as much from our study as I have. Are you treasuring your hidden moments and years more now? I am. Sometimes it isn’t a matter of being discontent with hiddenness - it’s wondering if God is okay with it. “God are you pleased with my clothes washing, grocery shopping, meal preparing, story reading…” On the list goes for moms and grandmas. From our study, I believe we can safely say that God is pleased with our quiet serving of others.

Alicia’s point about Jesus being tempted to redeem the earth without the sacrifice of Himself (pp.130-131), was gripping. A redemption without pain - without blood. “For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness”

Anonymous

admin — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:36:58 +0000

Lights are on in all campuses now. PTL! Thanks to the tireless staff of Bethany and the army of 220i interns, we have been able to serve hundreds of people in need. Larry is in New York City today participating in memorial ceremonies of 9/11 and leading the nation in prayer for revival and protection. Sunday, the 21st, we will be having a combined service @ 11:00 a.m. @ the north campus to celebrate 45 years as a local church. Beloved Bethany! I have been a part of Bethany for almost 39 of those years. Jonathan will be ordained that day - I am full of gratitude to the Lord. We can train our children to serve God, but ultimately they must make the decision to serve and love the Lord. God, alone, calls individuals into full-time ministry, and it is a grave and solemn responsibility.

As we reflect on the fourth emphasis of Anonymous, the imagination and thought life, I can’t help but referring to Jonathan. What an imagination! (It seems that the Stockstill children inherited more than their fair share of imagination.) Imagination, a beautiful gift from God, is twisted and perverted when we are living in sin. When redeemed, however, the imagination is the source of great vision for and innovation to worshipping our Lord. Jonathan’s childhood imagination was a continual source of joy and laughter. As he matured, however, he employed that imagination to envision heavenly worship. The result has been numerous songs of worship and praise to our God. My prayer for him has always been that he would not just

Anonymous

admin — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:31:38 +0000

Speaking of hiddenness, Hurricane Gustav certainly put us in the dark for several days! The utilities at our campuses have not yet been restored, but that hasn’t impeded our outreach in the form of shelters, MRE’s (meals ready to eat), and distribution of basic commodities. We thank the Lord for every opportunity to reach out to those in need!

The Temptation of Appetite (focus three) is one of the most relevant topics to Christians today. The whole concept could be summed up in one word: discipline. Studying to master the life and principles of Jesus is called Christianity. Because we are in that discipline, we are called disciples. We must discipline our spirit, soul, and body. Some are very disciplined with their body, but not with their mind or spirit. Some are disciplined with their mind but not with their body or spirit. If, however, one is disciplined in spirit, the body and mind will line up. In other words, if we will discipline ourselves to read the Word every day

Anonymous

ellen — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:52:00 +0000

This week, Larry and I celebrated twenty-five years as senior pastors of Bethany. Who pushed the fast forward button? We are humbled by the overflow of love. Isn

Anonymous

ellen — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:49:33 +0000

What encouraging comments! Be sure to read Cathy