Pivotal Decisions

Does it ever feel like your prayers are going unanswered? Have you wondered why God hasn't responded, why the answer is taking so long, or why His plan looks so different from what you expected? In this episode of Pivotal Decisions , Stan explores the power of prayer through Revelation 8:1–5. In a remarkable scene in heaven, there is silence for half an hour before God's judgment unfolds. During t...

Have you ever wondered what God wants you to do with your life? In this episode of Pivotal Decisions, Stan explores Ephesians 2:10 and the truth that God created you on purpose and for a purpose. Your purpose is bigger than your career, accomplishments, or success. It’s about using the life God has given you to make a difference for His kingdom. Stan shares five practical steps to discovering your...

What if your purpose isn’t something you have to create—but something God has already prepared for you? In this episode of Pivotal Decisions , Stan talks about one of the most important decisions we can make: the decision to discover and live out our God-given purpose. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand for u...

In this episode of Pivotal Decisions , Stan explores the importance of biblical community and why God never intended us to live the Christian life alone. We live in a world where technology has made us more connected than ever, yet loneliness and isolation remain significant challenges. Having hundreds of followers doesn't necessarily mean having someone who truly knows you, prays for you, encoura...

What if the most important decision you make isn't about your career, your relationships, or your future—but about whether you will truly know God? In this episode of Pivotal Decisions , Stan launches a new series based on his book Pivotal Decisions: 10 Decisions That Will Transform Your Destiny . This episode explores the difference between values-based decisions and reaction-based decisions and...

Stan interviews Dr. Jim Burns. Jim Burns is the founder of HomeWord. He speaks to thousands of people around the world each year. He has more than 3 million resources in print in over 20 languages. His popular HomeWord with Jim Burns podcast is on all the major podcast platforms. Jim writes and speaks primarily on the values of HomeWord which are strong marriages, confident parents, empowered kids...

Who—or what—is shaping your children? In this episode of Pivotal Decisions , Stan takes a hard look at one of the greatest challenges facing parents today: the battle for our children's attention. A recent legal settlement involving Meta and social media platforms has brought renewed attention to the way technology is designed to capture and hold the attention of young people. But this isn't simpl...

What you believe about God shapes everything, your thinking, your decisions, and your future. In this episode, Stan unpacks 10 common lies people believe about God and replaces them with truth from Scripture. -You don’t live better than your theology for very long. - Many people aren’t rejecting God—they’re believing the wrong things about Him.

We are living in a time of uncertainty—global conflict, political division, economic pressure, and cultural confusion. The weight of it all is creating anxiety and instability for many people. Even the secular world is acknowledging this reality. Psychologists and researchers are sounding the alarm: uncertainty is taking a toll on mental and emotional health. But while the world offers ways to cop...

Most of life isn’t shaped by dramatic failures—but by quiet patterns we stop paying attention to. In this episode of Pivotal Decisions, Stan explores how unhealthy habits form gradually, why we often don’t notice them, and how Scripture calls us to awareness, repentance, and intentional change. Normalization is powerful. What once bothered us can slowly become acceptable—and what feels normal even...

A winter storm moved through, forecasts were issued—and when the storm didn’t match expectations, frustration exploded. Weather forecasters were blamed, mocked, and accused of getting it wrong. But was this really about the weather? In this “What Just Happened?” episode of Pivotal Decisions, Stan looks beyond the storm to explore what our reactions reveal about expectations, control, trust, and ou...

Choosing a church is one of the most formative decisions a believer will ever make—yet it’s often approached casually or based on preferences rather than biblical principles. In this episode of the Pivotal Decisions Podcast, Stan walks through a thoughtful, Scripture-rooted framework for choosing a church wisely. Drawing from decades of pastoral leadership, Stan helps listeners move beyond consume...

Stan and his son, Briggs, make their College Basketball predictions for 2026.

In today’s episode, Stan continues our conversation on one of the most powerful forces shaping our lives: influence — especially in our digital age. With endless voices competing for attention online, the question isn’t whether we’re being influenced, but by whom — and how we are influencing others in return. Drawing from Scripture, practical insight, and everyday experience, Stan breaks down eigh...

In this episode, Stan explores one of the most important — and often overlooked — areas of the Christian life: the stewardship of influence . You don’t need a title, a platform, or a stage to impact the world for Christ. Someone is watching your life, being shaped by your example, and influenced by your faithfulness. Through an inspiring historical chain that began with Edward Kimball — the quiet...

In this episode, Stan sits down with Jimbo Stewart , Replant Specialist with the North American Mission Board (NAMB) , to talk about the critical moments that define ministry leadership. Together, they unpack what it means to lead with conviction, navigate seasons of change, and make decisions that shape the future of the church. Whether you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or someone passionate abou...

In this episode of Pivotal Decisions , Stan sits down with Mark Clifton , Senior Director of Replanting at the North American Mission Board (NAMB) , to explore the hard but holy work of revitalizing dying churches . Mark shares the pivotal decisions that shaped his calling, the challenges of replanting in a post-Christian culture, and why no church is too far gone when the gospel is at the center....

In this special episode, Stan sits down with his son, Briggs, for a fun and insightful conversation about the upcoming college football season. Together, they look at the storylines, players, and teams that could shape the year ahead. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just getting ready for kickoff, this father-son conversation is filled with energy, predictions, and a few laughs along the way.

In this episode of Pivotal Decisions , Stan tackles a struggle we all face from time to time—a bad attitude. Whether it's negativity, bitterness, or frustration, your mindset can shape your life more than you realize. The good news? You’re not stuck. With practical steps and biblical insight, this episode offers encouragement and tools to help you adjust your attitude and align it with God's purpo...

Your attitude shapes how you see the world—and how the world sees you. In this episode, Stan takes a deep dive into 17 clear signs that reveal when your attitude may be out of alignment. Based on insights from Sarah Kristenson's article on HappierHuman.com , we explore how a poor attitude affects every area of life: your relationships, leadership, joy, and spiritual growth. From carrying grudges a...

Welcome back to the Pivotal Decisions Podcast! I’m your host, Stan Parris. When you hear the word success , what comes to mind? Is it wealth, recognition, status, or achievement? In this episode, we explore our often-unquestioned assumptions about success—and challenge them with a fresh, deeper perspective. Whether it’s the pressure parents feel for their children to “make it,” or the cultural obs...

In this episode, Stan unpacks one of the most fascinating and sometimes misunderstood teachings in Scripture: the Millennium — the 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ on earth. Drawing from Revelation 20 and various Old and New Testament passages, Stan explores the biblical foundation, different theological views, and the profound implications of Christ’s literal reign on earth. If this episode was h...

In this episode of Pivotal Decisions , Stan explores one of the most anticipated and profound events in Scripture—the Wedding Supper of the Lamb . Following the second coming of Christ and the Judgment Seat of Christ, this moment marks the culmination of God's redemptive plan for the Church. What is the Marriage Supper? When does it happen? What does it mean for believers? Stan dives into Revelati...

In this continuation of our End Time Events series, Stan unpacks the truths found in Revelation 19 , offering a vivid look at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ . Unlike His first coming in humility, the return of Christ will be marked by glory, authority, and unmatched power. From the heavens opening to the King of Kings descending on a white horse, this episode reveals what the Bible says about J...

In this episode of the Pivotal Decisions Podcast , Stan continues our series on major end-time events by focusing on the Battle of Armageddon. What does the Bible actually say about Armageddon — and what common misconceptions has culture created around it? We explore Revelation 16 and unpack: How God’s final judgments unfold on the earth. Why armies from around the world will gather in Israel. The...