Resources https://www.firststone.org Tue, 19 Mar 2024 03:28:39 -0500 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Put Away in Order to Put On https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/put-away-in-order-to-put-on https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/put-away-in-order-to-put-on#comments Mon, 12 Feb 2024 10:00:00 -0600 https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/put-away-in-order-to-put-on In message 11 of the "Living from our Living Hope" series, Laura Leigh Stanlake offers her teaching from 1 Peter 4. Click the image to watch the video.

crestwood_convoyofhope.org-Stanlake

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In message 11 of the "Living from our Living Hope" series, Laura Leigh Stanlake offers her teaching from 1 Peter 4. Click the image to watch the video.

crestwood_convoyofhope.org-Stanlake

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Porn & Sex are Women's Issues Too! https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/porn-and-sex https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/porn-and-sex#comments Tue, 23 Jan 2024 13:00:00 -0600 https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/porn-and-sex Part One

There's a common misconception that pornography and sex addiction is exclusively a struggle for men. This leaves many women to struggle in silence, too ashamed to come forward. In part one of this two part episode, special guest Laura Leigh Stanlake openly discusses her past struggles with sexual addiction, and her work towards finding a path to freedom.

Testimony Interview by Love & Truth Network

Video via: Wistia Audio Podcast via:  Apple  |  Youtube Music  |  Spotify

 

Part Two

In part two, Laura Leigh Stanlake and Garry Ingraham continue their discussion over the impact of pornography and sexual brokenness on Christian women, as well as broaden their topic into the gay celibate Christian movement. Additionally, both share how the church needs to change their outreach and ministry to those caught in the vicious cycle of sexual sin.

Testimony Interview by Love & Truth Network

Video via: Wistia Audio Podcast via:  Apple  |  Youtube Music - Episode 44  |  Spotify

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Part One

There's a common misconception that pornography and sex addiction is exclusively a struggle for men. This leaves many women to struggle in silence, too ashamed to come forward. In part one of this two part episode, special guest Laura Leigh Stanlake openly discusses her past struggles with sexual addiction, and her work towards finding a path to freedom.

Testimony Interview by Love & Truth Network

Video via: Wistia Audio Podcast via:  Apple  |  Youtube Music  |  Spotify

 

Part Two

In part two, Laura Leigh Stanlake and Garry Ingraham continue their discussion over the impact of pornography and sexual brokenness on Christian women, as well as broaden their topic into the gay celibate Christian movement. Additionally, both share how the church needs to change their outreach and ministry to those caught in the vicious cycle of sexual sin.

Testimony Interview by Love & Truth Network

Video via: Wistia Audio Podcast via:  Apple  |  Youtube Music - Episode 44  |  Spotify

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Biblical Foundations on Sexuality https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/biblical-foundations-on-sexuality https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/biblical-foundations-on-sexuality#comments Fri, 05 Jan 2024 16:00:00 -0600 https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/biblical-foundations-on-sexuality  

In September 2023, Trinity Baptist of Norman, Oklahoma, hosted Dr. Robert Gagnon for talks on sexuality in the Bible.

The following are the message links to that weekend:

  1. The Old Testament Witness on Sexuality
  1. The Witness of Jesus on Sexuality
  1. The Witness of Paul on Sexuality
  1. Practical Applications

 

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In September 2023, Trinity Baptist of Norman, Oklahoma, hosted Dr. Robert Gagnon for talks on sexuality in the Bible.

The following are the message links to that weekend:

  1. The Old Testament Witness on Sexuality
  1. The Witness of Jesus on Sexuality
  1. The Witness of Paul on Sexuality
  1. Practical Applications

 

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Doesn't God Hate Me If I'm a Porn Addict? https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/god-doesnt-hate-me https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/god-doesnt-hate-me#comments Tue, 02 Jan 2024 13:00:00 -0600 https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/god-doesnt-hate-me Joseph Thiessen struggled for years with a severe pornography addiction, oftentimes even questioning his salvation due to the severity of his addiction and dependence. But in this episode, Joseph shares not only how God delivered him from its controlling grasp, but how he found a whole new way to see God as our true Heavenly Father.

Testimony Interview by Love & Truth Network

Video via: Wistia Audio Podcast via:  Apple  |  Youtube Music  |  Spotify

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Joseph Thiessen struggled for years with a severe pornography addiction, oftentimes even questioning his salvation due to the severity of his addiction and dependence. But in this episode, Joseph shares not only how God delivered him from its controlling grasp, but how he found a whole new way to see God as our true Heavenly Father.

Testimony Interview by Love & Truth Network

Video via: Wistia Audio Podcast via:  Apple  |  Youtube Music  |  Spotify

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Board Appoints Executive Director https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/new-director https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/new-director#comments Wed, 27 Dec 2023 15:00:00 -0600 https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/new-director FSM Board on Navigating Our Transition

The First Stone Ministries Board had no plans in place for what was to unfold for 2023. Stephen Black was our trusted source of information and during lockdowns, the Board did not meet as it should have. At that time, there were three members of the Board: Stephen Black, FSM’s Executive Director, Randy Rice, who has been a Board member for 20 years, and me, with four years of service with FSM. Unfortunately, the Board was made aware of a very important missed deadline and long-time Board member, Randy Rice, offered to find out what happened. What he discovered was that there were two missed legal deadlines, and the staff was afraid to give honest feedback on separate internal issues.

The Board convened a staff meeting where each person had the opportunity to share concerns and observations with Stephen. Stephen’s response was completely unexpected and unacceptable. He was asked to go on sabbatical, to give him time to work out a variety of personal issues affecting his leadership. It is important to point out that at no time were we concerned about sexual immorality.

It was plain to see that our Board needed to take a more active role in fostering the growth of the ministry. I was able to recruit Dr. Kevin Clarkson to join the Board. Dr. Clarkson had served on the OBU Board of Directors and was a long-time pastor of First Moore. He currently pastors Liberty Church in Yukon. Our second addition was Gaylene Stupic, who serves as FSM Board Secretary, and attends Bridgeway Church. She has a passion to see people walk in the fullness of their identity in Christ and serves in prison ministry as well as a women’s ministry, Beautiful Restoration.

And then there was the flood. The FSM staff had to hurriedly pack up ALL the First Stone property to keep it from damage, locate and move to temporary offices, run a ministry out of boxes then, and during subsequent construction, and negotiate the details of the missed deadline. From the outset of Stephen’s sabbatical, Laura Leigh Stanlake played a stabilizing and pastoral role. It was only a few weeks into the sabbatical that the Board received Stephen’s written notice of resignation. The Board then asked Laura Leigh to step in as interim Executive Director, while the Board worked through a separation agreement that would honor Stephen’s service to the ministry without putting him or the ministry at risk.

The weight of the loss of such a long-serving FSM Executive Director was more bearable thanks to the latent talent of the entire FSM ministry team. The staff flourished under Laura Leigh’s leadership and within weeks, it was clear that she was more than capable of handling the duties of an interim Executive Director. She attended to the long-overdue fiduciary tasks and held the Board to our deadlines and commitments. It was obvious that the anointing of God was guiding Laura Leigh on the direction FSM needed to go administratively as well as ministerially. The Board voted unanimously at the September 2023 Board meeting to officially make Laura Leigh the Executive Director.

Since that time, we have watched the staff go through illness, surgery, and the death of a family member and yet the staff is vibrant and full of ideas to move the ministry forward. Laura Leigh invited a lovely ministry friend to host a prayer night at our host church, Crestwood Vineyard. It was well-attended, and we look forward to the next one after the first of the new year. We praise God that her vision and abilities have provided clear direction and a promising future.

Bob Linn, Chairman

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FSM Board on Navigating Our Transition

The First Stone Ministries Board had no plans in place for what was to unfold for 2023. Stephen Black was our trusted source of information and during lockdowns, the Board did not meet as it should have. At that time, there were three members of the Board: Stephen Black, FSM’s Executive Director, Randy Rice, who has been a Board member for 20 years, and me, with four years of service with FSM. Unfortunately, the Board was made aware of a very important missed deadline and long-time Board member, Randy Rice, offered to find out what happened. What he discovered was that there were two missed legal deadlines, and the staff was afraid to give honest feedback on separate internal issues.

The Board convened a staff meeting where each person had the opportunity to share concerns and observations with Stephen. Stephen’s response was completely unexpected and unacceptable. He was asked to go on sabbatical, to give him time to work out a variety of personal issues affecting his leadership. It is important to point out that at no time were we concerned about sexual immorality.

It was plain to see that our Board needed to take a more active role in fostering the growth of the ministry. I was able to recruit Dr. Kevin Clarkson to join the Board. Dr. Clarkson had served on the OBU Board of Directors and was a long-time pastor of First Moore. He currently pastors Liberty Church in Yukon. Our second addition was Gaylene Stupic, who serves as FSM Board Secretary, and attends Bridgeway Church. She has a passion to see people walk in the fullness of their identity in Christ and serves in prison ministry as well as a women’s ministry, Beautiful Restoration.

And then there was the flood. The FSM staff had to hurriedly pack up ALL the First Stone property to keep it from damage, locate and move to temporary offices, run a ministry out of boxes then, and during subsequent construction, and negotiate the details of the missed deadline. From the outset of Stephen’s sabbatical, Laura Leigh Stanlake played a stabilizing and pastoral role. It was only a few weeks into the sabbatical that the Board received Stephen’s written notice of resignation. The Board then asked Laura Leigh to step in as interim Executive Director, while the Board worked through a separation agreement that would honor Stephen’s service to the ministry without putting him or the ministry at risk.

The weight of the loss of such a long-serving FSM Executive Director was more bearable thanks to the latent talent of the entire FSM ministry team. The staff flourished under Laura Leigh’s leadership and within weeks, it was clear that she was more than capable of handling the duties of an interim Executive Director. She attended to the long-overdue fiduciary tasks and held the Board to our deadlines and commitments. It was obvious that the anointing of God was guiding Laura Leigh on the direction FSM needed to go administratively as well as ministerially. The Board voted unanimously at the September 2023 Board meeting to officially make Laura Leigh the Executive Director.

Since that time, we have watched the staff go through illness, surgery, and the death of a family member and yet the staff is vibrant and full of ideas to move the ministry forward. Laura Leigh invited a lovely ministry friend to host a prayer night at our host church, Crestwood Vineyard. It was well-attended, and we look forward to the next one after the first of the new year. We praise God that her vision and abilities have provided clear direction and a promising future.

Bob Linn, Chairman

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Social Media TRAPS https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/social-media-traps https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/social-media-traps#comments Thu, 28 Sep 2023 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/social-media-traps Click to watch Jim Farrington's interview on YouTube.

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Click to watch Jim Farrington's interview on YouTube.

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Recommended Books: Christian Living https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/recommended-books:-christian-living https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/recommended-books:-christian-living#comments Mon, 18 Sep 2023 17:00:00 -0500 https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/recommended-books:-christian-living First Stone Ministries recommends the following books:

 

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First Stone Ministries recommends the following books:

 

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Recommended Books: Homosexuality https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/recommended-books:-homosexuality https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/recommended-books:-homosexuality#comments Mon, 18 Sep 2023 17:00:00 -0500 https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/recommended-books:-homosexuality First Stone Ministries recommends the following books:

 

 

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First Stone Ministries recommends the following books:

 

 

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Recommended Books: Society and Culture https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/recommended-books:-society-and-culture https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/recommended-books:-society-and-culture#comments Mon, 18 Sep 2023 17:00:00 -0500 https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/recommended-books:-society-and-culture First Stone Ministries recommends the following books:

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First Stone Ministries recommends the following books:

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Recommended Books: Church and Theology https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/recommended-books:-church-and-theology https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/recommended-books:-church-and-theology#comments Mon, 18 Sep 2023 17:00:00 -0500 https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/recommended-books:-church-and-theology First Stone Ministries recommends the following books:

 

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First Stone Ministries recommends the following books:

 

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