Daniel Sirstad
Practice What You Preach
Sounds good, right? Many don’t mind saying “practice what you preach,” but most don’t like hearing it. Many of you are licensed preachers. All of you are preachers. I hope each of you will read this short post in its entirety. Most preaching does not take place behind a pulpit. Preaching takes place in the…
Speak the Truth in Love
Amid Paul’s longest sentence found in Ephesians chapter four is the admonition to “Speak the Truth in Love.” It’s a whole lot easier to read this or memorize these words then it is to live it. I am convinced most people speak what is right to them. It may not be the whole truth, but…
I Have Never Done This Before!
Yes, you read, right. I’m about to do something I’ve never done before, and it’s not easy for me to do, but here goes. DayStar Ministries is in its 6th year of operation. During this time, we have been able to help many individuals and couples navigate a variety of situations. Most of those we…
From a Wound to a Scar
The healing process of going from a wound to a scar is primarily up to the one who has been wounded. Who, among the masses of those that read this, has never been injured? Remember wiping out on your bicycle? For you guys, do you remember stumbling home with torn jeans, blood on your leg,…
I Just Assumed …
How many times have you said or thought these words, “I just assumed …?” How many times have you heard these words, “I just assumed …?” Every time we assume, we open the possibility of conflict, stress, anxiety, etc. Not only are we impacted by these negative emotions, but the subject or subjects of our…
Pushing Buttons, Stirring Pots & Poking Bears
Pushing buttons, stirring the pot, poking the bear, etc. are all terms used to get someone worked up to the point where a reaction takes place. Usually the reaction caused is not a positive one. I was working with a couple and at some point, in the process, received a request from the husband. His…
Is Church Attendance Still Important?
For Christmas last year, my daughter, Amber, got me a gizmo to hold my phone while I am driving. It fits in the air vent. You may have seen one or have one yourself. On the first Sunday morning of this year, I took it out to the car and installed it. Next, I attached…
A Clean Slate!
October 31, 2018 marked the completion of DayStar Ministries 5th year in operation. The first five years of any organization are crucial from a business standpoint. Over those five years many stories could be told of the goodness, mercy and grace of God. We have been honored to help churches, individuals, couples and families. To…
Recognizing Suicide
I want to talk to you about recognizing suicide in your world. In 2015, over 44,000 individuals took their own life in the United States. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in America. Between the ages of 15-34, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death. In Oregon, one person dies by suicide…
The Power of Giving Thanks
Giving thanks. Being thankful. Seems like the same thing but there is a difference. One is proactive, the other reactive. Is either one wrong? Absolutely not! Both are right. Both are needed. Consider an obvious Scriptural example. Dr. Luke tells a true story of ten men, which he records in Luke 17:12-18. If we cheat…
Grace or Disgrace?
If you had the choice would you prefer to receive grace or disgrace? I suspect, overwhelmingly, you would prefer to receive the former. Grace gives us a good feeling, disgrace not so much. A synonymous word for disgrace is shame. Nobody enjoys being disgraced or shamed. The most frequent New Testament word for grace denotes…
That’s Not Fair!
How many times have you heard, “That’s not fair?” How many times have you said or thought that something wasn’t fair? In my experience, the desire for fairness is not something relegated to just one age group. I’ve heard children, teenagers, young adults, middle-aged adults, and retired folks all proclaim how something in life is…