A Big Thank You!

BECAUSE OF YOU... the 40-year televised Hour of Power survived 2010.

Along with millions of Americans, persons all around the world and businesses everywhere, the Hour of Power weathered the 12 financially turbulent months of 2010... and, SURVIVED, to begin another year of positive, powerful, life-changing ministry. It would not have happened without YOU!

Leading up to and through 2010, Crystal Cathedral Ministries leadership made deep cuts including over 100 staff positions and most of the local broadcast stations. By year's end, nearly all staff members were doing the jobs of two or three people and volunteers stepped in to help, as well, while revenues continued to be reduced by over 30% compared with the previous year.

But, YOU WERE THERE! YOU saved the day, so the Hour of Power could begin its 41st Anniversary Year! What a life-saving gift you have given to millions of people everywhere. Thank you!

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A Legacy Story: Stan Petersen

Stan Petersen, a beautiful Christian man with the twinkle of Jesus Christ in his eyes, passed away March 8, 2010. He left a legacy of love and support by including Crystal Cathedral Ministries in his estate plans.

Stan looked forward to watching the Hour of Power every Sunday with his dearest friend, Darlene LaJune.

"Stan was so uplifted by the music and sermons," said Darlene. "Even when faced with the possibility of a terminal illness, Stan held strong in his faith. When reassured that everything would turn out okay no matter what because God loves him, Stan confidently replied, 'I know it. God is good.'"

Create a Big Affect Through Generous Giving...

To encourage future generations in a BIG way, you can leave a legacy through a final will and estate gift to the Crystal Cathedral/Hour of Power. For more information, go to Legacy Gifts at the Crystal Cathedral website.

From the Heart: B.I.G. Faith

It is no secret that I love to bake. One of my family's favorite desserts is a mile-high apple pie that has 14 Granny Smith apples in it. I have one recipe that is Dad's favorite-it has triple the cinnamon. It is one BIG pie! Why bake a wimpy pie when you can bake a mountain-sized pie? Sure, it takes more work, but the effort is worth it. I love to hear the oohs and aahs-and see the children's eyes open wide when the giant, golden pie is cut and topped with scoops of rich, vanilla ice cream.

There is a sense of accomplishment and pride in a job well done, but most of all, there's the satisfaction that I've been able to bring joy and happy memories to my family.

But some may say, "Why make it so big?" "Why buy so many apples-for just one pie-when less than half that amount would do?" "Why make such a BIG mess in the kitchen?" "Why make one BIG pie when you could make three average-sized pies for the same amount of time and expense?

Well, why not? Why not dream BIG? Why not practice BIG thinking? Why not exercise BIG faith? Yes-there is a risk of failure. Yes-there is a risk of embarrassment. And the bigger the dream, the bigger the risk-the bigger the faith that is needed.

These days, gigantic faith is needed. We need Believe-In-a-big-God Faith. So, I ask you, how BIG is your God? Is He BIG enough to part rivers? Is He BIG enough to still the storm? Is He BIG enough to birth new stars every day? Is He BIG enough to carve grand canyons? Is He BIG enough to do something BIG in you?

Yes! Yes! Yes! God can and God will do BIG things through you!

SHEILA SCHULLER COLEMAN

Think Bigger!

By Robert H. Schuller

"God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask, seek, or think." -Ephesians 3:20

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A man was fishing off a pier one day. Each time he'd catch a fish, he'd measure it with a little ruler he pulled from his tackle box. If it was ten inches or less, he threw it in a bucket to take home. If it was more than ten inches long, he threw it back into the sea.

Another man sitting nearby thought this guy was crazy for throwing back the bigger fish. He finally asked, "Excuse me, but why do you throw back the big ones and keep only the little fish?

The fisherman said, "Well, it's simple-my frying pan's only ten inches across!"

Now, you may laugh at that response, but the news I have for you is this-you and I are that fisherman! We're that fisherman whenever we throw away dreams that seem too big to accomplish. When God sends dreams our way, if they're small enough, we grab hold, but if they're too big and we're sure they're impossible, we don't follow them in fear of failure. In the process, we turn our backs on some of the greatest opportunities that life-and God-will ever give us.

God is going to stretch your arms today. God is going to stretch your dreams right now. God is going to allow you to think bigger even though it's risky because God's ideas are always impossible when we first get them. It's His way of ensuring that He's a part of it, knowing that we can't pull it off without Him.

So I ask you to pray this prayer today:

Dear God help me to catch the dream even if it's bigger and more uncertain than any dream I've dreamt before. Help me to think bigger. Walk with me and let's make it happen. Let's be in the miracle-making business, God, You and me, together. Amen.