Author (Free of Me, The Cost of Control), Pastor at Bright City Church, PhD, married to @ikefmiller!
Durham, NC
Joined September 2011
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It takes just as much effort to make a person feel small as it does to dignify them: surprisingly little. #speaklove
God led the Israelites to the Promised Land, but they still had to fight for it.
In other words, calling doesn’t mean we won’t face obstacles. It just extends our vision beyond them.
Preaching is a matter of sowing. Once that seed leaves our hands it’s out of our control, so we must be careful not to mix bad seed in with the good. Political idolatry being among the worst right now.
“The Law functioned a bit like a cast that keeps a broken bone in alignment. But it was not the cure.” @Ikefmiller
I recently realized something:
Nearly every pastor, speaker, or author I know personally, has a story of church hurt in their past. Corruption. Betrayal. Disillusionment. Massive pain.
I’m one of them.
Why, then, are we still in ministry?
Guilt says: “I did something bad.”
Shame says: “I am bad.”
And, these two are not the same. Shame is not necessarily a sign of guilt. You can feel shame because of something bad done TO you.
But the good news of Jesus Christ? He heals them both.
One of the most urgent questions facing Christian leaders right now is how to prepare the next generation for the true cost of ministry, without discipling them into cynicism.
When it’s all said and done, ALL that will be left, ALL that will still be standing, will be Jesus’ Kingdom, his character, and his glory.
Everything not of that will, sooner or later, crumble.
Adam & Eve wanted to be “like God,” & the great irony of their story is that God wanted that too. He created us to be “like Him,” not in power, but in character.
This is the spiritual fork in the road we face, every time we choose between control and trust.
Remember: we are not called to be “burnt offerings,” but “living sacrifices.”
Burnout, living without limits, being a doormat for Jesus—this is not your “spiritual act of worship.” (Rom. 12). This produces death in us, not life.
After Joseph’s brothers betrayed him, he had every reason to become bitter, cynical, and hard.
How did he avoid all of this? Was it through empathy, setting boundaries, or protecting his peace? Surprisingly, no.
It came from trusting in the sovereignty of God.
After Joseph’s brothers betrayed him, he had every reason to become bitter, cynical, and hard.
How did he avoid all of this? Was it through empathy, setting boundaries, or protecting his peace? Surprisingly, no.
It came from trusting in the sovereignty of God.
You don’t have to be a jerk to be a bad leader. You can be the nicest person in the world, but if you communicate poorly (inconsistently, ambiguously), people will not experience you that way.
The Psalms of cursing remind us to bring our rage and violence to God, where it can be sanctified,
instead of first bringing it to people, where it will be multiplied.