THE GUY NOBODY EATS LUNCH WITH There is a version of Derek at almost every church in America. He’s the guy who got serious about his faith, really serious, and now everyone in his orbit knows it. He’s got the…
The Spirit Earns the Right to Speak
Accidental Pharisee
FRUITFUL · WEEK 4 DON’T BE AN ACCIDENTAL PHARISEE “Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves.” Mark 11:13 ·…
Plant Something Worth Growing
Hey family, If you made it through this week being mindful of every word you spoke, same. I made it about halfway through Monday before I said something at home I immediately wished I could take back. Here is what…
Say It Anyway. Having the Conversation the Flesh Avoids
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 (ESV) Psalm 19 ends with a prayer, not a strategy, not a five-step plan….
Words That Build a Man. Speaking Life Into Your Family
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 (ESV) Ephesians 4:29 uses the word corrupting;…
What’s Buried at the Bottom. Words and the Heart Behind Them.
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34b (ESV) When you restock a fruit display you pull everything out first, because the fruit at the very bottom has usually gone bad. And rotten fruit does…
Before You Send It. Slowing the Reckless Word
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18 (ESV) Proverbs 26 says that someone who wounds a neighbor and then says “I was only joking” is like a maniac shooting…
7,000 Words a Day. Are Yours Bringing Life or Death?
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Proverbs 18:21 (ESV) Seven thousand words a day. Spoken, texted, typed, posted. Most of us never stop to think about whether…
Your Words Are Fruit
Fruitful Words Week 3 This week, we’re talking about something we use 7,000 times a day and almost never stop to think about. Our words. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it…