Poitras Ponderings

I have this theory. All sermons work together, the good ones and the not so good ones, to craft me into who I am and direct me to who I ought to be.

Here's the roadmap. The purpose of the Poitras Ponderings Podcast is to provide encouragement, edification, and exhortation to all of us on the Christian journey in whatever stage or role we find ourselves in on the trip.a.    So, if you are wondering what I’m up to, or aiming at, that’s it! I know it’s broad but I’m not a very good archer so I need a big target for ultimate success.b.    Everyone likes to start out on a trip knowing the destination and the stopping places along the way.c.     Otherwise, like it was said in Alice in Wonderland, I believe: "if you don’t know where you are going any road will take you there."2.   So, I want to give you a heads up on what will be happening in PPP World over the next few months.3.   Illustrations. I used to visit different events and conferences in Africa and would start my speaking with, “I have a story!”a.    Mixed in there somewhere was “Whether in the spirit or out of the spirit I cannot tell OR whether here or there I cannot tell.”b.    The PPP producer/engineer and his good wife probably remember both of those little tidbits.4.   So, we are embarking on an illustration-driven series of podcast episodes.a.    Pulling some of my favorite memories from the past, presenting them in the present, promising to be a blessing to your future.b.    I know they say illustrations shouldn’t overpower your preaching or teaching or speaking.c.     But illustrations open the window for an understanding of whatever topic is being hammered a way at. They help us drive a well driven nail into whatever is being said.d.    Illustrations can be remembered long after all the details of the message are gone and can remind you of what the point was in the first place. “In many ways the success of preaching depends upon the success of the illustration. An idea without an accompanying illustration is like an airplane without wings; the idea is not going to fly. The most successful preachers soon discover that illustrations have a way of personalizing the message, of attaching an address to it. As preachers, when we fail to use illustrations, it's the same as writing a lengthy letter but failing to address the envelope before mailing it" (W. Floyd Bresee).

Want to spice up your prayer life a bit? Host, James Poitras, gives some pointers in this episode. Have a prayer partner, prayer time, and prayer place. Try:Praying the WordPrayer Walk (in the Sanctuary)Prayer JournalPrayer ProclamationsPlaylist PrayersPrayer Texts, E-mails, CardsOn-the-spot Prayers

October is Pastor's Appreciation Month. Everyone needs the voice of a godly pastor in their lives. I’m thankful for the near perfect pastor God has given me. Not only is he a fantastic, fabulous preacher, he's not afraid to set an example and is willing to do anything to move the church forward. He has a broom and a dust pan in one hand, a Bible and a microphone in the other.Do something to appreciate your pastor today. You will be glad you did. And so will he or she. In fact, they may just preach a little better next Sunday because of your kindness.

Hermeneutics Made Simple. Herman who? Herman what? Every Bible reader is a Bible interpreter. We process God's Word into our lives through observation and application. This podcast episode presents the SOAP Bible Study Method. So simple. So applicable. So sustainable. Scripture (what verse sticks out to you). Observation (what do do you think about the verse?)Application (How do you apply the verse to your life?) Prayer (How can you pray concerning this, for yourself and for others?)Using Hebrews 11:33-35, Poitras does a quick study using the SOAP Method of Bible Study. You've heard of Faith Hall of Fame, of Faith Hall of Heroes. But this podcast episode deals with Faith's Hall of Gain.

Based off the Pareto Principle we understand the law of the vital few, that in just about any church, twenty percent of the people do eighty percent of the work. How do you move people from the serve-us mindset to a service mentality; from being a spectator to a participator? That is the struggle for many of us in ministry leadership. This podcast episode not only poses the problem, but provides some answers on what can be done.

Dedication and devotion are the foundation of commitment. The Apostle Paul, Romans 12:1-2 encourages and begs us to present ourselves as living sacrifices. How do I know the will of God for my life?1.     Present myself as a living sacrifice2.     Refuse to be conformed to this world.3.     Allow myself to be transformed by the renewing of my mind4.     This allows me to prove the good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God The biggest competition to do the will of God is a four letter word: L.I.F.E. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did” (Mark Twain). 

Host Linda Poitras reaches back into the recesses of memory and unfolds for us some Miracles in Missions she experienced through twenty-nine years of missionary experience in Africa. Despite unsettling circumstance God was the shield, protector, and provider.

Great tidbits with host, Jim Poitras. Stuff like "Right decisions done repeatedly over time compound success." "God has not called us to compete with one another but to complete one another." And the foundational premise for this episode: "I want to be better today than I was yesterday."

Jim and Linda journey into their past and nostalgically recall how they ended up as Rev. and Sis. Jim Poitras. It's a God-orchestrated story that unfolds thousands of miles away from home, in a populous Nigerian village. They were working individually for the Lord, and found they could be stronger together. Snail mail, motorbikes, apostolic greetings, prayer, and fasting help tell the story.The bottom line: Seek first the kingdom. Get the priorities right and all that is needed is added. So, just keep your head on straight. God's best is on the way!

Enjoy the story of the call of our speaker this week, Linda Poitras. Willingness. Availability. Yes. Banquet date gets a rain-check. Praying meeting in the ladies' restroom. Alaska. Little church and the spot where she heard God's direction. That's great because she had an amazing journey. Unusual. Sometimes uncharted and many times, unknown. All night on a bench in the airport. Watched over by a doctor from India/ No phone. No telegram. Just elbows to get on the plane the next day. Taxi down a dirt road. Where is this guy taking me? Only a post office box for the missionary. Hours later: Arrived. Slept seventeen hours. "Is she dead?," they thought! No, but found the place where God knows she fit. Learned to listen to His voice when He said and says go, do, speak! God makes the call.Have sense to answer.

Host Jim Poitras is out-classed this week with the appearance of a very special guest as he discusses life verses, life, priorities, and life matters. You'll enjoy this podcast episode. It was a lot of fun.

This is a bonus everyone. It goes along with the Personal Promises episode. I've been praying and texting this morning. Several friends are going through the fire and need encouragement. I hope this bonus episode will give that little nudge today.

It's a perfect time to reclaim a few of the 7,487 promises in God's Word for us; some conditional, some unconditional, some both!

It's easy to get frustrated by the fast-changing and fluid environment that we are part of. It impacts every area of our lives: personal, spiritual, social, and even our work lives. It plunges us to unprecedented levels of flexibility and frustration. It's so difficult to set goals during the pandemic. Have you ever tried sprint goals?Run the full speed at the short distance. "Sprint goals" entail a set period of time, typically two to four weeks, which specific tasks must be completed. It really works!

Host Jim Poitras gleans nuggets from the Chronicles.

Host Jim Poitras reflects and speaks from his heart concerning personal spiritual growth. Since God has planted eternity in our hearts, he asks "How is your eternity garden growing?"

This episode with co-host, Melinda Poitras, and special guest Barron Longstreth, lead pastor of The Church Today, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is especially geared to those in ministry endeavoring to find the rhythm or reality between humanity and spirituality. It is filled with nuggets, some of which, I've already incorporated into my preaching, teaching, and personal life.

This week we flip the script with a discussion led by Cylinda Nickel, the Executive Director of Compassion Services International, Melinda Poitras, Secretary of MK Ministries, co-host of the Poitras Ponderings Podcast, and author and host of "He Said, She Said" podcast, along with Candra Poitras Fiorini, a licensed professional counselor. The discussion is based on tidbits learned from Living in the Overflow, a highly recommended book written by Richard Blackaby. The trio looks at the spiritual life of Elijah, his showdown and spiraling to emotional, physical, spiritual, distress. Candra gives excellent tips on how to deal with exhaustion, emotional struggles, isolation, and desolation. Melinda and Cylinda also add their ministerial perspective.

Jim Poitras is joined by son-in-law, Zach Fiorini to discuss the effective team's culture code. We are safe.We are close.We share a common future.

We all go through stage, shifts, and seasons of ministry. This episode provides an overview through multi-generational perspectives.

Angie Clark, the author of A Kintsugi Parable, and Cori Smith, Youth President of Washington State join me in this interview. "Kintsugi, a Japenese traditional method of pottery repair, offers a unique way to examine the reality of brokenness in the life of a believer."

Cylinda shares experiences of how God was at work, through people, through God, building a medical support system, while she was in a coma for two and one half months. Cylinda amazingly was very active in the coma and so was everyone around her. An active imagination? God at work? Both? You decide! Remember, though, God has the final say. Approach this with an open mind and heart. She is now the Executive Director of Compassion Services International. We are called to GO in one form or another. Here is the contact information: Compassion Services International  Phone: 501.628.8404  Email: [email protected] Web: compassionservices.org 

Cylinda Nickel encountered a brain aneurysm in late 2017. This interview charts her miracle story and recovery. She spent over two months in an induced coma. The Waymaker saw her through as praying people interceded in every corner of the globe. It was a profound riveting joy to interview a miracle.

Sometimes God speaks in the wind. Other times He speaks through the voice of the birds. Other times He speaks when you are shut in with Him, away from all the distractions. Climb out the rut. Escape the freeway of the rat race. Pull up a lawn chair and be shut in with the One that often speaks with the still, small voice. Can you hear him? Above the wind! Above the sound of the birds. He is speaking. Will you listen?

This episode looks at the present pandemic and a word emerging from it: "unprecedented." Solomon stated in Ecclesiastes that there is nothing new under the sun. True? False? Let's take a closer look!

Pause. Ponder. Project as we look at six podcasting professionals behind the Poitras Pondering podcast. They are who, where, what, when, why, and how. We are also joined by our co-host Melinda Poitras for her first time. You'll enjoy this! I promise!

In the midst of the storm may very well be the best time to step out of your comfort zone, follow the Lord's instructions, and become a Wave Walker.

Welcome to Poitras Ponderings podcast where we pause, ponder, and project. We are off on a journey of becoming the best version of ourselves we can possibly be. Thanks for joining on the trip. Fasten your seat-belts. It's the journey of a lifetime.