Quote from Mark Batterson

"Most of us live our entire lives as strangers to ourselves. We know more about others than we know about ourselves. … Why? Because it's easier. And we think it's safer. But trying to be who we're not amounts to forfeiting our spiritual birthrights. It's not just that we're lying to ourselves. Somewhere along the way, we lose ourselves." – Mark Batterson, Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny (Multnomah, 2011)

Quote from AW Tozer

Something so deep, I need to read a few times to understand it's meaning....

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us... Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or low thoughts of God. For this reason the gravest question before the Church is always God Himself and the most portentous fact about any man is not what he at any given time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be." ~ A.W. Tozer (via Francis Chan's Crazy Love)

Finding Contentment by Killing Comparisons

Ever wonder why contentment seems elusive?
Anne Peterson | posted 1/31/2011

Being a Facebook user, I love posting prayer requests or sharing photographs with friends and family members. Within seconds news travels through cyberspace, lessening the distance between family and friends. Unfortunately, this also becomes a temptation for comparisons, which lead to discontent.

We log on and see one of our friends has happily posted an achievement. Instead of responding with heartfelt congratulations, we turn a little green. Isn't this the same thing I've labored on for years with few results? Defeated, we log off, busying ourselves with something else.

What can we do when we are tempted to compare ourselves with others? Why is this such an obstacle to contentment?

Making comparisons is nothing new. Cain compared himself to Abel. Jesus' disciples struggled with this too. In one conversation, they tried to determine which of them would suffer in the future, and who would be spared. Jesus asked them, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?" (John 21:23).

When we compare ourselves with others we are not walking by faith. Instead, we are trying to control things. Comparisons get us into trouble for at least two reasons.

1) They can make us feel better than the person we are comparing ourselves to, leading to pride. Remember the publican who thanked God that he wasn't a sinner? The enemy of our souls loves it when we struggle with pride. It was his downfall.

2) They can make us feel worse than the person we are comparing ourselves to, leading to low self-esteem, which still keeps our focus on ourselves. Although it says in James that God is not a respecter of persons, we do not believe this if we believe God is withholding something from us that is rightfully ours.

To be content, we need to swap lies for truth
Sometimes we even compare how God is working now with how he has worked in the past. In this way we bring God down to our level, judging his track record. This is arrogance. God tells us in Isaiah 55:8, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." In other words, we don't think like God. He wants us to walk in step with his Spirit. That means we are not to run ahead of him pulling him where we want him to be, nor are we to get behind him pushing him in the direction we want him to go. God is immovable.

As much as God wants us to walk by faith, Satan, the enemy of our souls, is determined to point out little things we hold against God. When Satan introduces these lies to us, we need to refute them. The only way we will be equipped to do that is if we saturate ourselves with the truth. The lies he tells us have a little truth mixed in, making them harder to recognize as lies. Only as we learn Scripture can we sort them out.

The world is forever pointing out things that should be ours, creating in us a sense of entitlement. Then Satan points us to those who have attained the things we hope for, pushing us farther down the road of discontentment.

Focus on the Lord when you are tempted to compare yourself with others. David, whom God called a man after his own heart, was given armor to wear when he was going to fight Goliath. The armor was too large for his small frame, but David didn't go searching for different armor so that he could replicate others who went out in battle. Instead, David's focus was on God's character, not on his opponent. God, who had helped David in the past, would continue to help him as he faced Goliath. All of us have had experiences of trusting God. We need to remind ourselves of his faithfulness.

To be content, we need to praise God in all circumstances
God is always looking out for our good. Knowing this about God is essential for us during our times of trial, when some things don't make sense. God is more concerned about transforming us into the image of his Son than he is about how it will temporarily affect us.

The apostle Paul was beaten, imprisoned, stoned, and shipwrecked. Still, in prison chains, he wrote to the church that he was content no matter his circumstances. He tells us to be content in our circumstances, not thankful for our circumstances. When things go wrong, what can we praise God for? We can praise him for who he is. Our circumstances do not diminish his character. He never becomes less than he is.

If we just start praising him, as David did in the Psalms, we will be reminded of other reasons he is worthy of praise. Satan is the only one who doesn't want us to praise God, so he will continually try to get our focus off the Lord. Satan loves it when we focus on what we don't have, what God hasn't done for us, or how God has seemingly let us down. Satan is the original killjoy.

Too often we praise God only when we feel like praising him. Offering God praise has nothing to do with our feelings. Instead, when we are going through a difficult time, our praise becomes a sacrifice to him.

Charles Swindoll says that life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to what happens to you. We act as if it's the other way around. The apostle Paul encourages us to rejoice in the Lord always. That is much different from rejoicing in what is going on with us. If Solomon had told us to rejoice, we might have a problem with that. After all, wasn't Solomon the richest man around? But Paul was talking to us with chains on.

To be content, we have to kill the dragons of comparison
I have started challenging myself lately. When I see a status on a newsfeed that ruffles my feathers, I ask God to help me to pray for that person. It makes things easier when I'm honest with God, telling him how I feel. He knows anyway. Then, I begin to praise him.

Try singing to the Lord. When my heart is singing, whether I'm on key or not, my mind moves off of myself. I sing old hymns, such as "Jesus Never Fails" and "How Great Thou Art," because they are loaded with truths about the Lord. A couple of lines into a hymn and I find that I no longer wonder when I'm going to get the thing I'm working toward, but instead am thinking about God and all the wonderful things he has done.

Contentment is attainable, but first we must kill the dragons of comparison. And they will die as long as we keep our eyes focused on the King of Kings, the only one worth looking at.

The stick I made for measuring
I used most every day.
It helped me to compare myself
with others on my way.
I watched all those behind me,
or further down the road,
and I would readjust my pace
or lighten up my load.
The only real drawback
with how I ran my race
was watching everything around,
except my Savior's face.

Anne Peterson is a freelance author, poet, and speaker. To read Anne's blog or to engage her as a speaker, go to http://annepeterson.com/.

Paradoxy: Coming to grips with the contradictions of Jesus by Tom Grace

The great paradox of the 21st century is that, in this age of powerful technology, the biggest problems we face internationally are problems of the human soul.
~Ralph Peters~

Paradox: A truth that appears to contradict itself
E.g.:
 - The only constant is change
 - Standing is more tiring than walking
 - Youth is wasted on the young

The paradoxes of Jesus clearly reveal that he understood and emphatized with our eotional, physical and spiritual struggles. Jesus knows that we frequently drive ourselves to depression in our pursuit of perpetual happiness.We crave fame until we attain it, and then we fell into solitude. We neurotically worry and insure agst catastrophes to calm outselves agst accidents that rarely occur. We climb the pole of power only to find it is greasiest at the top. We continually plan days, months and years ahead only to find at the end of life that we are chasing the end of the rainbow.

A real Christian is an odd number....He feels supreme love for one whom he has never seen....empties himself in order to be full, admits he is wrong so that he can be declared right....is strongest when he is weakest, [and is] richest when he is poorest...He dies so he can live, forsakes all in order to have, gives away so he can keep, sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knows that which surpassess knowledge.
~A.W. Tozer~

We cannot escape the realities of these paradoxes by simply denying them or by accusing those who choose to live by them of naivete. It is better when we embrace them as part of our daily practice.

1. Taking on more load and labor to obtain rest: Matthew 11:28-30
2. Seeing isn't believing: Walk by faith and not by sight: 2 Cor 4:16, 18, 5:1, 6-7
3. Give to receive: Acts 20:35
4. Be enslaved to Christ to be free:  Romans 7:14-15, 21-23
5. Finding Fool's wisdom: For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom
6. Power of positive weakness - yielding to conquer. Admiiting weakness is painful but heals, relieves, matures and deepens us.
7. Taller when we bow: To be a humble servant to be the greatest (Stooping to greatness).
8. Die to live

Many of us know all too well the price we pay for our workaholism. Too often workaholism merely reflects how empty & indefinable our lives are outside of what we do or the possessions we have.


When circumstances befall us - and they will - we are strongest when we trust God. We find our greatest power in that place of trust in the presence of God, where we listen for God's voice.
The key difference betw athletic races and the Christian "race" is that we do not compete agst others but agst spiritual, moral and material things throughout life that become barriers for us.

But we run nevetheless, because we run to convey the love of God in word and in deed to other people, seeking to win them over and to reconcile them, in their broken relationships to God.

Guest Post from Philip Nation: Advice to Worship Leaders

Friday December 10, 2010

Today's post comes from Philip Nation, Director of Ministry Development at LifeWay Christian Resources.


Over the last two years, I have traveled quite a bit to speak for churches, conferences, and mission endeavors. Because of that travel, I have the opportunity to observe worship leaders in various settings. Though I'm no expert in music, I can (like you) spot when it isn't going so well.
Now, I'm no musical expert. But I'm a guy who loves to worship. So, I've assembled some simple advice for worship leaders (no matter the style of your service). Please keep in mind that these are one man's hopefully helpful suggestions.

1. Just sing the song.
Improvisation is great, unless you are leading others in singing. Then you just confuse everyone. Part of the genius to the hymns written in times past is that everyone knew the tunes to the music. The majority of people do not read music now so melodies need to be familiar.
The use of video screens in worship is helpful and appropriate for our technological context, but as a result we only focus our attention on words. Consequently, we have memorized the songs as they are most commonly sung. If you take off on a vocal riff, we don't know what you're doing and just wait for you (now singing a solo) to be finished.

2. We don't sing La-La-La
For some reason, songwriters will substitute words with Ooh's, Aah's, and La's of different progressions and combinations. Though it may sound really cool on the radio, most of us just feel stupid standing around singing La-La-La-La. And, anyway, it doesn't feel like worship when I'm just cooing like a baby at God.

3. Open your eyes.
Keith Pipes - a good friend and worship leader - once described to me how odd it is for a worship leader to sing to God but look at people. I get it. But if you keep your eyes closed during the entire music set - it's creepy.
But more than that, it tells the worshipers that you don't really care if they are participating or not. Yes, it's hard to sing to Jesus and look at me, but all of spiritual leadership involves a certain level of earthly awkwardness.

4. Stop singing in the key of "Tomlin."
Let me say it plainly: if the worship leader is singing toward the top of his/her vocal range, then you have left everyone behind about seven bars ago. If you can sing like Jason Crabb or Chris Tomlin, that's great. For you.
Speaking on behalf of the guys... Most men are baritones. They need music to be easy, middle of the road. From a guy's perspective, we will more likely not sing than squeak like we've re-entered puberty. So, when you lead worship songs in a key only fit for professional singers, most men will simply not sing. I know because I look around while listening to you sing.

5. We only know 4/4 time.
Though we really enjoy hearing the David Crowder Band sing in their odd syncopated beats, none of us can actually keep that rhythm with David. Please keep it simple for us. Again, the brilliance of the hymns is that they were easy to sing. The simple music was contextualized to the style of their day. And, it has helped them stand the test of time as accessible to the masses. Lead music that we can all sing easily so the focus is on the content of the words and not trying to keep the beat.

6. Plan the transitions.
Just like you don't like to see the preacher flounder for a transition between points, we feel the same for you. I'm not advocating a mini-sermon between songs, but at least have a plan. Hopefully, you and the speaker know what the theme of the service is to be, so speak about it in such a way that it values the scriptures and continually points us to Christ.

7. Turn up the lights.
OK - maybe this is more pet peeve than anything but here goes. I can sing by myself in the car, at home, etc. Only once (maybe twice) a week do I worship with the community of faith. But, when the lights are turned down in order to highlight the cool set, Gobo lighting effects, and newest ProPresenter backgrounds, then I don't know what the family in the row in front of me is doing. It's not that I need them to do something in order to worship, but--I think--God intends for me to worship with them. I shouldn't have to use night vision goggles to see them.

8. Dress like it is worship that matters.

Leaders need to contextualize, but only to the point that you blend in with those you are seeking to reach and lead. For some reason, those of us on the platform (preachers included) feel the carnal need to be the coolest/best looking in the room. Thus, Target and Macy's is making a mint off of ministerial professionals buying shirts with graphics emblazoned across the shoulders. But that is not the definition of contextualization. Don't try to be the grungiest one who is "free" to wear blue jeans and go bare foot in church. And don't try to be the sharpest dresser just because you are "up front." Instead, be driven by the mission of who God has given you to reach and lead.

9. Love Jesus more than music.
All leaders face the temptation to love their work for God more than God Himself. It is our own temptation toward idolatry. To speakers, I would say that they should love Jesus more than their words about Him. For worship leaders, love God more than the music about Him. No matter what else happens on the platform, it will be obvious where your passion rests.

How can I avoid being discouraged about my spiritual growth?

Angie Ward
posted 1/04/2011

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to spiritual formation.

Each person has a completely different story, personality, and lifestyle. Therefore, it's important for us to develop our own plan for spiritual growth, instead of just trying the same program or method as everyone else with the expected guarantee of success.

When I visit a personal trainer at the gym, she doesn't give me a pre-designed, standard exercise plan; she observes my strengths, weaknesses, and lifestyle, and develops a customized workout plan based on that information. The ultimate goal is total body fitness; however, there are hundreds of baby steps that contribute to meeting that goal. She would never expect me to start by running five miles or setting the weight machine at the heaviest setting. Instead, she encourages manageable activities that show fairly quick results, creating a natural hunger for more.

In the same way, as Christians we should focus on the next step instead of focusing on how far we have to go until we reach the "ideal." Following are some manageable yet effective ideas for the most basic elements of spiritual formation.

Community: This is more than the typical church grapevine or casual associations. We need deep friendships that include personal accountability, but this can take so many forms. Some do best in a structured small group or Bible study; others, like me, feel safer initially yet ultimately very challenged in a less structured setting. At a previous church, I started golfing regularly with a group of women. It didn't take long before we were sharing the depths of our hearts at the same time we were improving our handicaps. Community can never be forced. Whether it's a shared meal or a shared interest, look to capitalize on natural connections.

Bible reading: There is absolutely no substitute for personal time spent reading the Bible, even if it's just several verses a day. We need to know that God speaks to us personally, not just through our pastor, Bible study leader, radio preacher, or favorite author. Rely on the Holy Spirit to illumine your reading of God's Word.

Prayer: Many Christians struggle to carve large chunks of time out of a schedule that is often dictated by others' needs: work, household, children, spouse, friends, etc. Yet all Christ-followers need to quiet their soul on a regular basis, so they can hear God speak and can talk to him, as well. Therefore, take advantage of even the smallest quiet moments. That may be in the stillness of the morning or evening, in the car at a red light, or even (perhaps often!) in the bathroom.

As with diet and exercise, in your spiritual life you can't rely on the big event or program to take the place of regular discipline. Learn to recognize and maximize your own unique situation to foster lasting life change.

Angie Ward is a leader of leaders with more than 15 years of leadership development experience in a variety of ministry settings. She is the founder of Forward Leadership and is a contributing editor for Leadership Journal.

A Guide to Internal Controls

Basic principles for keeping church finances safe.
Tyler Charles
posted 12/26/2010

The first thing every church leader needs to understand (and believe) is that their church is not immune to financial misconduct. The "We don't need to worry about that here" mentality is the reason why so many churches become victims of embezzlement. Even if your church isn't being victimized (that you know of), implementing a system of internal controls will ensure that your finances aren't at risk in the future.

Richard Hammar offers these examples of how embezzlement occurs in his book Pastor, Church & Law, Vol. 2: Church Administration and Property:

Example. A pastor had the sole authority to write checks on the church's checking account. He used church funds to pay for several personal expenses, amounting to thousands of dollars each year, until his actions were discovered.

Example. A church left its Sunday offering, along with the official count, in a safe in the church office until Monday. On Monday morning a church employee deposited the offering. The employee ignored the official counts, and deposited the offering less loose coins and currency (which she retained). The deposits were never checked against the offering counts.

To avoid these scenarios, here are a few basic principles for implementing internal controls:

A Matter of Good Stewardship

Even if you trust every leader at your church, you probably don't feel comfortable giving all of them a copy of your house key—or access to your bank account. Even if you trust them completely, there's no reason to provide such unlimited access to your possessions. In the same way, no one should be given unlimited access to the church's assets.

Internal controls are like checks and balances—or an accountability system. Not only do internal controls make your church's finances safer, but the knowledge that your church has a system in place will also serve as a deterrent—removing the temptation for a leader to embezzle or to "borrow" funds temporarily.

Focus on Good Practices

A system of internal control not only protects your church's assets, but it protects church leaders from unfounded accusations. If a church leader is wrongfully accused of embezzlement, he will be glad the church's internal controls have made such a charge impossible.

So not to offend anyone, emphasize that the changes have nothing to do with any individual. Rather, the changes are necessary for ensuring the financial security of the church in the present and future.

At first the new practices might seem inconvenient, but in the end, your leaders will be less susceptible to false accusations. And they will understand that you have the church's best interest at heart.

Write Policies Down

Documenting internal control policies is a vital step. This communicates that you are serious about implementing these practices, and it will encourage your leaders to abide by the new restrictions—even if they might seem tedious or unnecessary.

Do Annual Audits

In addition to implementing a system of checks and balances, and limiting access to accounts and cash supplies, churches need to consider finding a local CPA to perform an annual audit of their finances.

Audits spook people. However, churches can use audits to their advantage. An annual audit of the church's finances, though somewhat costly, can serve as a great deterrent for would-be embezzlers—and an incentive for all church leaders to be conscientious about keeping receipts, balancing accounts, and reconciling errors.
Emphasize Integrity

Churches that have never been victimized do not have the same incentive to overhaul their current system as ones that have been victimized. That doesn't mean the changes are any less necessary.

Internal controls are imperative for your church's financial security. If your church needs to revamp its system, don't overlook the spiritual element. Use this time to emphasize the need for honesty and integrity among your leaders—and throughout the church. Remember that embezzlement isn't just about stealing, but it's also a violation of the trust your church members placed in your leaders.

The fallout from financial misconduct is considerable, which is all the more reason to reduce the risk of embezzlement in your church. Establishing internal controls is the best way for churches to ensure their financial security.

Learn more from the downloadable resource "Internal Controls for Church Finances," available at ChurchSafety.com, and The Essential Guide to Church Finances, available at YourChurchResources.com