Pivotal Decisions

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...

In this thought-provoking episode, Stan dives into one of the most talked-about — and misunderstood — topics in biblical prophecy: The Mark of the Beast . Whether you’ve heard about 666 from the Bible, pop culture, or even a fast-food receipt, there’s a lot of confusion surrounding it. Stan walks us through Revelation 13 and other key Scriptures to help us understand what the mark of the beast act...

In this powerful episode, Stan explores one of the most chilling figures in biblical prophecy—the Antichrist. As part of our continuing series on end-time events, we examine who the Antichrist is, how he rises to power, and what the Bible reveals about his influence during the Tribulation. 🔔 Stay Connected If today’s episode encouraged or informed you, please share it with someone. Subscribe to t...

In this episode of Pivotal Decisions , Stan explores one of the most significant and often misunderstood topics in biblical prophecy—the Tribulation. Building on the previous discussions about the Rapture, Stan unpacks what Scripture reveals about the coming period of divine judgment, why it must happen, and what it means for us today. Key Scriptures Referenced: Matthew 24:21 – Jesus’ warning abou...

In this episode of Pivotal Decisions , Stan continues the discussion on the rapture of the church, focusing on why he believes in the pretribulation view . While there are differing perspectives on when the rapture will occur, Stan provides biblical evidence supporting the belief that the rapture will take place before the 7-year Tribulation. 🔹 Key Points Discussed: ✅ Three Major Views of the Ra...

In this episode of Pivotal Decisions , Stan discusses the latest update from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists on the Doomsday Clock, which has moved to 89 seconds before midnight. With global threats increasing, many are asking: Are we at the end? What is going to happen? Stan explores God’s plan for the end times, focusing on the biblical event known as the Rapture. Through scripture, partic...

Are we living in the last days? In this episode of Pivotal Decisions , Stan kicks off a compelling series exploring end-time events from a biblical perspective. Discover what Scripture reveals about signs of the times, the return of Jesus, and how we can live with confidence and hope in uncertain days. Join us as we break down complex prophecies, dispel common misconceptions, and focus on the ulti...

In this episode of Pivotal Decisions , Stan explores why so many people struggle to make lasting changes in their lives. Reflecting on studies that show most resolutions fail by mid-January, Stan dives into the reasons people get stuck in life and how to break free. He highlights insights from an MSN article that outlines 8 daily habits of unsuccessful people who can’t seem to get unstuck , includ...