I’m so excited to introduce you guys today to one of my favorite people in the world. Ketric Newell is the student pastor at our Cross Point Nashville campus and I love this guy.
I get a front row view to watch how God uses him to powerfully connect with students day in and day out.
He’s written a new book called Liar, Liar, Mullet On Fire 
I’m giving 3 copies of the book away today. All you have to do is answer this deep and profound question:
Have you ever had a mullet?
This morning I was looking at Matthew 6 and the one question Jesus asked in verse 27 has been totally messing with me. He asked,
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Think about that question. Can anyone here honestly say the time they’ve spent in fear, anxiety, or worry has added any value to their life?
This particular word “worrying” translated in the Greek literally means “to be drawn in different directions.” Worry pulls us apart. I read the other day where a John Hopkins University doctor said, “We do not know why it is that worriers die sooner than non-worriers, but that is a fact.”
I believe the reason worriers die before non-worriers is because we are inwardly fashioned for faith, not for fear. Fear, worry and anxiety is not true to the way we’ve been wired. Everything about you from your tissue… to your brain cells… to your soul is constructed by our Maker for faith and not fear. To live by fear is to live against the reality of your creation.
I thought we could spend some time today just listening and praying for each other. Where are you tempted to live by fear instead of faith? What are you anxious, worried, or fearful about today?
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6.
My friend, Angie Smith, sent me this video earlier in the week. Her girls crack me up and even convict me just a little. You’ve got to see this.
I couldn’t help but think about 1 Peter 3:15-16 which says…
15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
I know Siri didn’t ask, but I do believe that if we’re living our life with the hope of Christ people will take notice and people will ask. They’ll wonder about the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and faithfulness that just naturally overflow from your life from moment to moment.
And when they do, I hope you’ll take the opportunity to tell them.
You ready?
I’m addicted to life change. There’s just a few things more incredible to me than watching Jesus transform the life of another human being.
The following video got me so excited!! God is doing some pretty incredible things at Cross Point these days. Honored to be along for this ride.
There’s a lot of debate these days about whether the Old Testament tithe still applies today or not. People often want to argue that it was part of the “law” and therefore doesn’t apply to us since Jesus fulfilled the law. We are now under the New Covenant and free from the legalism that so dominated the Old Covenant.
Much smarter people than me have spent their lives debating and researching whether that’s true or not. And quite frankly, I think it’s a mute argument.
If you ask me if you should tithe I would say. Probably not. I think you should actually be giving a larger proportion of your income away.
The grace of Jesus Christ should compel us to give more than the law ever required!
What are your thoughts on this topic?
I just happened to be in Dallas on Tuesday night when Texas Rangers star, Josh Hamilton, hit his record breaking 4 homers in one game. Here’s a video of all four of his killer home runs. A-mazing!!
I’m so thankful we worship a God of second, third, and fourth chances.
Aren’t you?
Time and time again in my life I’ve been tempted to live for the approval of others instead of trusting Christ.
Following Christ with all your heart is tough. Sometimes God calls you…
to take risks
to stand up against things
to go against the flow
to do something remarkable.
But when you live for the approval of others you limit your life to following the herd. You see most people feel safest when they’re in the middle of the herd. What happens when you break off to follow a God prompt, to take a risk, is the herd will criticize you until you fall back with the rest of the crowd. The approval addict is destined for a life of mediocrity because they always have to follow the herd.
