Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho!

By Darrel E. Stott

I love the Christmas season. It is an amazing time of Joy and Celebration!

When I was a boy growing up in western Canada each family in our small community was very concerned during the Christmas season about how long their toboggan was. A toboggan is a flat wooden sleigh that more than two people can ride. The longer the toboggan is the more people can ride it. For us children to go fast through the snow down a long hill with six or more people was so exciting.

When I was a child I had no idea that not everyone in the world went riding in the snow at Christmas.

We would make large snow men and decorate them. We used black coal for the eyes and a carrot for the nose. Every year we would build walls from snow to make a fort then we would hide behind and have snow ball wars with the neighbors. This was so much fun!

Later in my life I went to Indonesia and Australia. I remember preparing for Christmas in Australia. I was in for one big shock!

I went out to buy a large turkey for Christmas in the store and they did not have any. How could this be? Most everyone in Canada had a big turkey on the table to eat Christmas day.

What did we eat on Christmas day in Australia? We bought some sausages and put on our bathing suits and went to the ocean for a “barbe”. I did not know a “barbe” was a barbeque. Yes it is true! We were swimming and have a barbeque on Christmas day.

Let's remember that each country celebrates the Christmas season in a different way.

Let me share a couple Christmas lessons I learned:

1) Do not expect other people and their gifts to make you happy.

Our happiness and Joy should come from our personal relationship

with Jesus Christ. Many people are selfish and unkind. This is

their problem but they are not the ones we depend on for

happiness. We are to have an intimate, thankful relationship with

Jesus Christ.

2) Be thankful for all things. Many times I read of this in the Bible.

But my entire life changed when I began thanking God for the

good things and also thanking God for the bad things that

happened to me my life was dramatically changed. God is very

interested in developing our character. Our response to bad

people and things is of great importance to him.

3) My life has been so blessed by having the privilege of being with

the poor and needy. One day I was chatting with some people as

we sat in the ruins of their homes that had been destroyed by an

earth quake in Indonesia.

As we chatted I never heard one of them complain. They had no

insurance for rebuilding and little money. But they relaxed and

served me tea and chatted as we discussed the earth quake and

watched the children plan

4) Learn the secret of bring joy to others in need. You may not have

poor people around you but there may be people who recently lost

a family member. Others recently went through divorce or found

out they are sick. What about those who do not have a joy and are

trying to make it on a very few dollars. What can you do to bring a

smile to their face?

5) We must learn to draw our energy, strength and personal Joy for

Jesus and the small important things around us.

I pray that God will make you a blessing to others this Christmas. What a wonderful thing when we love those close to us but are not too busy to focus on others around us who we can bring the love of Jesus too

Why Do People JOKE with you?

When People JOKE with YOU!

-Darrel E Stott

Cultures are Different

I remember my first trip to the country of Australia.The country and people were beautiful but the some of the things in the culture were shocking to me. An example is as I was ministering in the city of Sydney and I assumed the culture was the same as America.

After the meeting we went to a house for food and coffee. Immediately very blunt joking began. They picked on each other joking about the size of their nose, being fat or how big their ears were. And it went on and on. What one person would say the others would say something worse. I felt so sorry for the person being picked on.

Later they explained to me the culture of Australia: “Darrel if no one picks on you saying terrible things about you and your body it means they do not like you. The more they like you the more they will joke with you saying terrible things.

Wow I was so glad they said terrible things about me.

I made some bad mistakes in Australia.

I quickly learned Australia has so much slang, Musicians are called Muso’s and a barbeque is called a “Barbie”. But I did not know that some of our words from North America are swearing in Australia. After my preaching they would say “Darrel please do not ever use that word again”.

An important lesson that I learned?

In most countries of the world if people joke with you in any way it means they see you as a friend and like you.

Because I joke much I am offend misunderstood

When my mother was 78 yrs old just before her death one day she told me this: “Darrel I am your mother and I still cannot tell when you are joking and when you are telling the truth.”

Many times when I joke with friends I keep a straight face and do not smile. Therefore they assume I am not joking. I love to do this!

BUT… (oh oh big problem)

Sometimes people get so angry with me for saying what I say. They do not understand my style of joking. It will always be true.

*But if friends are friends they do not stop communicating but they will try to learn how understand and communicate better

A real friend will try to joke and get even with the person who played a joke on them

When you get ANGRY at a person’s words what does it mean?

“When revival came into my life they immediately told me this. Darrel when the words of a person offend you pay close attention to their words.

Why?

God is showing you an area of hurt or an area that needs to be healed it. Do not get angry or offended but write the word s down and pray over them”

Why do I feel inferior or insecure?

Smile! Everyone feels inferior or insecure in some way. It means you are normal!

Learn to accept yourself and laugh at yourself. If you are still frustrated then I encourage you to read some books on being “codependent”. Let God set you free to be happy and love yourself.

A Broken Heart

By Darrel Stott

“The LORD is near to them that are with a broken heart; and saves those that have a contrite spirit.” Psalms 34:18

When we are young adults beginning our lives we are excited about our futures. This is the way it should be. We have no idea what is ahead of us. If we could see 20 years into the future we would see so many good things. So many blessings come to us. But there is a strong likely hood that we will also go through some testing times.

When I was 22 yrs old I attended a pastor conference and the speaker was talking about people who God uses. As he shared his words upset me. His opinion was that God would not use any man or woman that he has not tested.

As he explained the testing he shared how God would attempt to break our hearts with life circumstances in order that we reach out to him and secondly that we identify with others who go through hard times. He encouraged us to prepare for the difficult times as well as the good times. All he did was make me angry.

When I left the meeting I said this. “If that is what happens to people who God chooses to use then I do not want to be used of God.”

Many Years Later

Now I reflect on my ministry as I travel to many countries around the world. It is true that the effectiveness that I have comes as a result of the “breaking process” that God took me through.

Today I write to those of you who are in the middle of difficult times. You pray and nothing happens and God seems to avoid helping you. I fully understand what you are going through.

How God Broke me

Death

When I began my ministry I often spoke on Abraham laying his son on the altar. Then I would challenge the people to give their all to Jesus Christ and not hold anything back. I had no idea in just a few months I would stand by the grave of my wife with our little girl Jodi feeling so alone and wanting to quit.

I had no motivation to go on. My thoughts were totally confused with no understanding of the ways of God. How could God allow this to happen?

Sickness

A few years later when I wanted to marry a young lady I loved very much the doctor told me I had a terminal blood disease and would soon die. Now my little girl would also lose her father. Again I felt depressed and wanted to die.

Divorce

After marrying to a beautiful Christian lady who was my wife for almost 25 years I learned she did not love me and was involved with another man.

This was the total end for me. I think I had three or more small nervous breakdowns. I wish I had been stronger but I was not. This was totally too much for me to absorb.

Rejection and Abandonment

Then my total ministry itinerary cancelled on me and I was left alone in the Christian world. Most of my Christian friends ignored me. I had no place to live and no purpose in life.

I never once asked God to help me with my future but I would pray over and over if God loved me to please take me to heaven out of my broken heart.

I am not proud of how I responded but it is truthful. I did not blame anyone I just wanted out of the pain. If I was reaping what I sowed then it is too much for me. I could not imagine hell being worse. The pain I was now feeling was so intense that I had never imagined anything so bad.

When I was a young pastor I preached many funerals but never understood what those left behind felt.

So many times people are told they have cancer or AIDS and I gave them a scripture and advice but never felt their fear of dying and leaving their family.

I can remember grown men coming in my office falling on their knees crying like babies telling me their wife had left them for another man. I knew nothing of their pain. I was totally insensitive and reacted with religion.

What I went through was hell for me. It was a breaking beyond words to where I had nothing only Jesus. As I could not sleep I would walk the floor night after night. There was only Jesus and me. If I was ever going to come out of my hell it would only be the help of Jesus who allowed it.

The breaking in my life brought positive change in me

Now when I stand with those who have lost a loved one I have few words to say only a hug and a look but I feel their pain.

When I look in the eyes full of AIDS and CANCER I feel their hopeless and pain. The scripture and advice may be slow in coming.

When I whisper to them “You are going to be okay” I really mean it as I remember my own struggles. If God could restore me then I also believe He can restore others

Final Thoughts:

Not everything bad comes from God but he allows the trials and testing. There is a purpose in these painful times.

My advice is that instead of asking to be delivered from the testing of your faith do this:

1) “Embrace the Trail”

Ask God to use the test to change and mature you. Take a minute by minute approach than an hour by hour. When you have learned to be a better person God will remove the test.

2) “Praise God for all Things”

We will agree that we do not like or enjoy the testing times but force yourself to “Praise God for Them”

“Always Rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1Th 5:16 - 18

I am not an expert at anything. I am a bad example of being a man of faith and responding correctly.

But I know what it is like to hurt in great emotional pain, to feel fear, depression and just want to die. I have failed others and been betrayed. I have felt out of control as my nerves snapped inside me. I never thought God would use me I just wanted to escape and find peace and rest.

What I am saying is I think I relate well to others in their time of testing.

I really believe God is with you and is helping you. Yes you will make it and be stronger and more effective than ever. The bad memories never do go away but they do diminish.

As a result of our breaking I think we all will be less selfish and more understanding and more carrying.

I really care about you and my prayers are with you

In Christ

Darrel Stott

“Let God Give you His Thots!”

Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep

your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Take Control of Your Mind

Making you mind think correct thoughts is a full time task for each of us! You can be having a wonderful day and then one negative thought can destroy you day!

When you are have a depressed day all it takes is one “positive thought
to change you entire day!

Why are so many Chinese and eastern people buying realist ate now in America? It has never been so cheap! They see the opportunity.

When you lose one job God can show you where a greater opportunity is to make more money than before. You must believe and expect it to happen.

When your husband divorces you it is important your life has just begun and God will bring a better man into your life.

2011-2013 is a Time of Great Opportunity

I am convinced that during the present world financial crisis that this is one of the greatest opportunities that we as Christians have ever had!

When we invite Jesus Christ in our lives we become sons and daughters of God. We are not like other people! We are joint heirs with Jesus Christ!

The plan of God is for us to prosper when others struggle. God wants us to have good health when others are sick. A financial crisis is an opportunity for you to be creative and to prosper in a greater way in your personal life.

Example: When the USA dollar goes down it is bad news for many Americans. But when you know the dollar is going to go down you prepare for it by purchasing gold then you smile as the dollar goes down.

When you see terrorist activity beginning what happens if you invest in bullet proof glass and other products? God wants us to see the opportunities when are depressed and going into despair.

In the Bible the book of Acts tells us that the plan of God is for his children to have dreams and visions from God to give you direction in your life.

I am convinced that NOW there is a wonderful anointing in the world for Christians who live in “the Glory of God” to be blessed financially!

In December 2010 God brought a wonderful anointing of “Acceleration” into my ministry. It is an anointing to bring the prophetic words to fulfillment and dreams from God into reality. Yes this is a time of great opportunity.